China, US stresses progress in economy at S&ED

Zheng Zeguang, China's assistant minister of foreign affairs, told reporters that the two sides had held candid and in-depth discussions on issues such as Korean Peninsula denuclearization, climate change and cyber security.

They also discussed how to manage their differences and foster beneficial interactions in the Asia-Pacific region, Zheng said.

The two sides also held their first meetings of the working groups on energy security, climate change and cyber security. They identified key areas for future cooperation and expanded their EcoPartnership program with the signing of six new partnerships to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency and create jobs.

Confronting climate change will be "a new highlight" of China-US cooperation as the two countries work to create a new type of major country relationship, said Xie Zhenhua, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, on Thursday.

"The successes of our countries depend upon one another," said US Deputy Secretary of State, William Burns, who took over from Secretary of State John Kerry to co-chair the meeting, at the closing session.

"Building a more constructive and cooperative relationship between the United States and China is vital to our future and will contribute to a more peaceful, stable and prosperous world," he said.

It is a simple fact that effectively addressing today's international challenges like climate change and nuclear proliferation requires "active and sustained partnership" between China and the United States, Burns said.

China and the United States have been holding the annual S&ED talks since 2009 when Obama came to power, as a major channel of communication to enhance mutual trust, boost cooperation and properly handle differences.