Chinese, U.S. diplomats discuss security prior to annual dialogue

BEIJING, July 8 -- Senior diplomats and officers from China and the United States on Tuesday discussed strategic security issues in Beijing ahead of the annual China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue(S&ED).

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui and visiting U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns co-chaired the meeting of the fourth China-U.S. Strategic Security Dialogue under the S&ED framework, according to a press release from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Wang Guangzhong, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense Christine E. Wormuth and U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus attended the meeting, according to the press release.

The two sides exchanged views in a candid, practical and constructive atmosphere on issues of common concern such as strategic and comprehensive security, it said.

The two sides agreed to maintain and promote the S&ED mechanism so as to further strengthen mutual trust and cooperation between the two countries, it added.

The sixth round of China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) will be held in Beijing on Wednesday and Thursday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony of the events and deliver a speech. Xi and Premier Li Keqiang will meet the U.S. delegations.

The S&ED will be co-chaired by Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang and State Councilor Yang Jiechi, as well as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew.