Only a candid US can pave way for fruitful talks

Among all the issues the first round of China-US Diplomatic and Security Dialogue, to be held in Washington on Wednesday, aims to touch upon, the pursuit of clarity and consistency will be the most closely watched. State Councilor Yang Jiechi is due to co-chair the dialogue with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Defense James Mattis.

Designed according to the consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries at their meeting at Mar-a-Lago, Florida, in April, the dialogue will involve in-depth exchange of views on China-US ties and other critical issues of shared concern, and of course, a road map for future diplomatic and security-related cooperation. And for it to bear the desired fruits, candidness is the key.

Mixed signals have been received from time to time from US President Donald Trump's administration. Known for his unpredictability, the United States president could in one breath promise to build a sound relationship with China and in the next send warships to continue the "freedom of navigation" operations in the South China Sea. China needs less confusing responses to its consistent, coherent US policy that rests on respect and shared interests, and not on confrontation.