U.S. secretary of labor (Elaine Chao) hails U.S.-China dialogue

[Omaha Steve]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-06/28/content_8454087.htm

www.chinaview.cn 2008-06-28 12:54:03

by Li Xuejun

WASHINGTON, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Elaine Chao, U.S. secretary of labor, hailed the just-concluded China-U.S. Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) as well as bilateral ties in an exclusive interview with Xinhua on Friday.

"Through the ongoing, dynamic and respectful discussions of the SED, the (U.S.-China) relationship is growing in a positive direction," Chao said.

The SED has brought progress on issues important to the United States, China and the global economy, faster than would have been possible otherwise. It is also important that these talks are comprehensive and cut across different departments and agencies, she added.

The fourth meeting of the SED, initiated by U.S. President George W. Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao in 2006, took place on June 16-18 in Annapolis, Maryland, at the U.S. Naval Academy.

At the end of the meeting, the two sides signed a 10-year agreement to work cooperatively on energy and environment. Both countries also agreed to open negotiations on a bilateral investment treaty, identify important infrastructure needs across all modes of transportation and enable the free flow of trade in these areas.

Chao, as the U.S. secretary of labor, is a high-ranking member of the U.S. delegation headed by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson.

"I think it is important for the two major economic powers in the world to have continuous, regularized dialogue," Chao said during the interview.

FULL story at link.