Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


            US, China Vow to Narrow Differences on Sensitive Issues

   by Mary Alice Salinas

   The United States and China on Wednesday capped talks in Washington
   with promises to expand work on a range of key regional and global
   issues and to narrow differences on sensitive matters such as cyber
   security, China's claim on a disputed, strategic area in the South
   China Sea and human rights.

   U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called the 7th round of the
   Strategic and Economic Dialogue "productive" and "significant" in its
   breadth and depth while his Chinese counterpart, State Councilor Yang
   Jiechi, said "candid" talks led to "broad consensus."

   Earlier at the White House, President Obama and members of China's
   Special Representatives agreed to further expand U.S.-China cooperation
   on climate and clean energy, and expressed agreement on climate
   negotiations to be held in Paris in December.

   The White House said the U.S. president also expressed support for
   China's efforts to reform and rebalance its economy and for ongoing
   negotiations towards a bilateral investment treaty.  But he also urged
   China to address its currency, technology and investment policies and
   to lower tensions resulting from its maritime actions.

   President Obama also raised U.S. concerns about China's cyber activity,
   including the cyber theft of confidential business information and
   technology from U.S. companies.  Washington is also investigating the
   massive hacking of sensitive personnel information belonging to
   millions of current and former U.S. government employees.

   Secretary Kerry said the U.S. and China agreed during the dialogue to
   "work together to complete a complete code of conduct regarding cyber
   activities." He added Washington believes the U.S. and China should
   work together to develop and implement a shared understanding of
   "appropriate state behavior in cyberspace."

   State Councilor Yang Jiechi said "China affirmed its firm opposition
   and crackdown on all forms of cyber hacking as well as China's
   readiness for cooperation with the U.S. on cyber security on the basis
   of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit." He also urged the U.S.
   to "respect facts."

   The secretary of state raised China's human rights record and concern
   about pending legislation Kerry said might seriously hurt the work of
   non-government and civil society groups that focus on matters such as a
   stronger rule of law.

   Yang responded, "It is important for the U.S. to respect China's
   sovereignty and territorial integrity... In advancing human rights,
   China's achievements are there for all to see."

   The two sides agreed to continue to work toward denuclearization of the
   Korean Peninsula, completing P5+1 talks on Iran's nuclear activities,
   and deepening ties between the United States and the People's Republic
   of China, along with a range of other issues ranging from global
   health, military relations, environment and development issues.

   The bilateral talks come ahead of a White House visit by Chinese
   President Xi Jinping in September.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/us-china-vow-to-narrow-differences-on
   -sensitive-issues/2836357.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-china-vow-to-narrow-differences-on-sensitive-issues/2836357.html