US Vice President Joe Biden has officially inaugurated the seventh round of strategic dialogue between Washington and Beijing, saying the US does not fear China's rise.
The world's two largest economies on Tuesday formally began two days of meetings that will cover issues of mutual interest such as the economy, security, foreign policy, climate change and human rights, although the forum actually began on Monday.
Biden said that the two countries are deeply committed to their bilateral relationship, which should be based on "responsible" competition with equal rules for the two economies and a framework of cooperation in areas of interest.
The vice president said that relations between Washington and Beijing are like "a marriage," and it requires "hard work" to make them flourish.
The opening of this round of dialogue in Washington was attended by US Secretary of State John Kerry and Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, as well as by Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi and Vice Premier Wang Yang.
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Despite Biden's conciliatory tone, relations between Washington and Beijing are currently going through a tense period with significant friction in the areas of cyber security and China's attempts to expand beyond its established maritime boundaries.
Another issue to be dealt with at the meeting will be China's expansion into the South China Sea, where Beijing is building installations on disputed islets, something that concerns its neighbours and US allies such as The Philippines.
"Nations that discard diplomacy and use coercion and intimidation to settle disputes or turn a blind eye to the aggression of others only invite instability and undermine the collaborative goals of the international community. And I can think of no nation that would benefit more from international collaboration than China," said Biden.
