Exchanges of peoples bridge bilateral divides

The seventh China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue and the sixth China-US High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange opened in Washington on Monday. This is the first time the meeting on people-to-people and cultural exchanges is being held concurrently with the S&ED, which reflects the rising importance both Beijing and Washington now attach to meaningful interaction between the two peoples.

The CPE is among more than 90 dialogue mechanisms between China and the United States, but it has become the most important regular platform to deepen bilateral people-to-people exchanges and cement mutual understanding between the two countries.

Since its inauguration in 2010, the high-level mechanism for people-to-people exchanges has served as a bridge for communication between the two peoples and achieved eye-catching results. For example, in 2014 alone the two sides agreed to an unprecedented 104 programs in six areas.