Strategic and economic dialogues to merge

Chinese Vice-Premier Wang Qishan and US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner met in London on Thursday after the conclusion of the G20 summit to further confirm the establishment of a "double-track" Strategic and Economic Dialogue mechanism (SAED) between China and the US, following up on an announcement made when Chinese President Hu Jintao met US President Barack Obama on Wednesday, prior to the G20 summit.

The dialogue will "focus on addressing the challenges and opportunities that both countries face on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global areas of immediate and long-term strategic interest", a White House statement said earlier.

The Strategic Dialogue mechanism, also known as "Senior Dialogue", is presented by the top level to discuss strategic issues such as military, anti-terrorism and climate change, while the Strategic Economic Dialogue, initiated in 2006, mainly serves as a bridge in bilateral economic relations and resolving trade disputes.