Top Chinese, US officials to hold dialogue next week

BEIJING: Top Chinese and US officials will hold their annual dialogue and consultations next week amid growing tensions in bilateral ties.

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew would attend the sixth China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) and the fifth China-US High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange (CPE) to be held here on July 9 and 10, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters here.

The S&ED will be co-chaired by Vice Premier Wang Yang and State Councilor Yang Jiechi, who will act as special representative of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Kerry and Lew, will also act as special representatives of US President Barack Obama.

The two sides will have an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations as well as other major issues of common concern, Hong said.

The dialogue is regarded crucial as the two countries clashed over growing regional tensions between China and Japan. They have also had tensions due to the disputes between China and South East Asian countries over the South China Sea.

US backs Japan, Vietnam and Philippines which are confronting China over their maritime disputes.

Hong said China hopes both sides will work together to strengthen strategic communication, promote cooperation and exchange, properly handle differences so as to push forward the building of a new model of major power relationship between China and the US.