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US and China strike conciliatory tone as high-level talks begin in Beijing US and China strike conciliatory tone as high-level talks begin in Beijing
(35 minutes later)
Two days of high-level talks between Washington and Beijing began on Wednesday morning amid tensions over cyber-espionage, currency manipulation, and rising international concern over China's territorial ambitions in the South and East China seas.Two days of high-level talks between Washington and Beijing began on Wednesday morning amid tensions over cyber-espionage, currency manipulation, and rising international concern over China's territorial ambitions in the South and East China seas.
Both Chinese and US officials, including the US secretary of state, John Kerry, and the treasury secretary, Jacob Lew, struck a conciliatory tone at the opening ceremony of the strategic and economic dialogue at the Diaoyutai guest house in western Beijing. China's president, Xi Jinping, remarked that confrontation between the two countries would be a "disaster".Both Chinese and US officials, including the US secretary of state, John Kerry, and the treasury secretary, Jacob Lew, struck a conciliatory tone at the opening ceremony of the strategic and economic dialogue at the Diaoyutai guest house in western Beijing. China's president, Xi Jinping, remarked that confrontation between the two countries would be a "disaster".
"We welcome the emergence of a peaceful, stable, prosperous China that contributes to the stability and development of the region, and chooses to play a responsible role in world affairs," Kerry said in a speech."We welcome the emergence of a peaceful, stable, prosperous China that contributes to the stability and development of the region, and chooses to play a responsible role in world affairs," Kerry said in a speech.
"I can tell you that we are determined to choose the path of peace and prosperity and cooperation, and yes, even competition, but not conflict.""I can tell you that we are determined to choose the path of peace and prosperity and cooperation, and yes, even competition, but not conflict."
Experts say that the talks, now in their sixth year, mark an important reaffirmation of the US-China relationship, one of the world's most economically important – bilateral trade adds up more than $500bn (£290bn)a year. Yet owing to a host of political sticking points, from human rights to cyber-espionage, they are not likely to yield any significant agreements. Experts say that the talks, now in their sixth year, mark an important reaffirmation of the US-China relationship, one of the world's most economically important – bilateral trade adds up more than $500bn (£290bn) a year. Yet owing to a host of political sticking points, from human rights to cyber-espionage, they are not likely to yield any significant agreements.
"During the economic and cultural talks, of course, both sides have the potential to push their cooperation further," said Shi Yinhong, an international relations expert at Renmin University in Beijing."During the economic and cultural talks, of course, both sides have the potential to push their cooperation further," said Shi Yinhong, an international relations expert at Renmin University in Beijing.
"But on the other hand, the strategy front is very bad … I don't think either side can make any substantial concession to the other, so I don't expect the dialogue to substantially improve the situation.""But on the other hand, the strategy front is very bad … I don't think either side can make any substantial concession to the other, so I don't expect the dialogue to substantially improve the situation."
Lew has charged China with intentionally undervaluing its currency, the yuan, in order to boost exports, leading the state newswire Xinhua to accuse him of making "fact-twisting and politically misleading remarks".Lew has charged China with intentionally undervaluing its currency, the yuan, in order to boost exports, leading the state newswire Xinhua to accuse him of making "fact-twisting and politically misleading remarks".
The US indicted five Chinese military officials for cyber-espionage in May - a move state media described as preposterous and accused the US of double standards. The US indicted five Chinese military officials for cyber-espionage in May – a move state media described as preposterous and accused the US of double standards.
Another source of tension is China's claim over disputed islands throughout large swaths of the South and East China seas. Beijing has accused Washington of trying to contain China's rise by supporting neighbouring countries such as Vietnam, Japan and the Philippines in maritime disputes; Washington claims that its goal is to maintain regional stability.Another source of tension is China's claim over disputed islands throughout large swaths of the South and East China seas. Beijing has accused Washington of trying to contain China's rise by supporting neighbouring countries such as Vietnam, Japan and the Philippines in maritime disputes; Washington claims that its goal is to maintain regional stability.
Meanwhile, Chinese security officials placed a prominent Tibetan blogger under house arrest on Tuesday night – possibly to prevent her from attending a dinner at the US embassy – underscoring the mistrust which permeates the relationship.Meanwhile, Chinese security officials placed a prominent Tibetan blogger under house arrest on Tuesday night – possibly to prevent her from attending a dinner at the US embassy – underscoring the mistrust which permeates the relationship.
Tsering Woeser said that state security agents arrived at her Beijing apartment at 7pm on Tuesday, an hour after she had returned from a trip with her husband, the writer Wang Lixiong.Tsering Woeser said that state security agents arrived at her Beijing apartment at 7pm on Tuesday, an hour after she had returned from a trip with her husband, the writer Wang Lixiong.
"I asked for the reason and they said that it was confidential," she posted to her Facebook page."I asked for the reason and they said that it was confidential," she posted to her Facebook page.
"But I know that it's because the day before yesterday an American embassy official had called me on my mobile phone and invited me this evening to the embassy residence.""But I know that it's because the day before yesterday an American embassy official had called me on my mobile phone and invited me this evening to the embassy residence."
In 2013, the US state department awarded Woeser the prestigious International Women of Courage Award, although Beijing barred her from travelling to Washington to receive it.In 2013, the US state department awarded Woeser the prestigious International Women of Courage Award, although Beijing barred her from travelling to Washington to receive it.
While presenting the award, Kerry called her a "clarion voice of the people, even as the Chinese government has worked to curtail the flow of information from Tibet".While presenting the award, Kerry called her a "clarion voice of the people, even as the Chinese government has worked to curtail the flow of information from Tibet".
Woeser wrote: "Afterwards Mr Kerry especially wrote me a letter. If I were to see him on this occasion I would very much like to reply to his letter and express my thanks. But most regrettably I am at home under house arrest."Woeser wrote: "Afterwards Mr Kerry especially wrote me a letter. If I were to see him on this occasion I would very much like to reply to his letter and express my thanks. But most regrettably I am at home under house arrest."