China and the US concluded their fourth round of strategic dialogue in Washington on Thursday, both delegations having enjoyed this opportunity for frank exchanges on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues of mutual concern.

During the two-day meeting, major developments in bilateral relations seen in recent years were reviewed to provide a good platform on which to map out the future. The two sides also agreed to work together on further implementing the important consensus reached between Chinese President Hu Jintao and US President George W. Bush.

Agreements were reached to broaden common interests, facilitate exchanges and cooperation under the aegis of equality and mutual respect. Special attention will be paid to enhancing strategic mutual trust to smoothly guide bilateral relations.

The Taiwan issue met with a consensus to handle it appropriately and ensure continuous peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.

The meetings saw the delegates engage on a wide range of issue, such as the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, Darfur, climate change and nuclear non-proliferation. Dialogue and coordination will be boosted in all these areas, ensuring a stronger global peace, stability and prosperity.

Leading the delegations were Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo and US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, who agreed to hold the 5th round of strategic dialogue in Beijing before the end of the year. The foundation for these regular meetings was lain down in the consensus reached between President Hu Jintao and President George W. Bush in 2004.

(Xinhua News Agency June 22, 2007)