Joint energy efforts

As two of the largest energy producers and consumers, China and the United States have a huge stake in meeting the challenge of rising energy costs through long-term and extensive cooperation.

By focusing on joint efforts to address energy efficiency and pollution reduction, the two countries are making their bilateral semi-annual talks live up to its name, "Strategic Economic Dialogue" (SED).

With oil hitting a record near- $140 a barrel on Monday, the strategic importance of cooperation on energy issues becomes more evident than ever.