WASHINGTON: Ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's State visit to the White House next month, US National Security Advisor Susan Rice has held wide ranging talks with her counterparts in Beijing, her spokesman said.
"Rice held candid, fruitful and wide-ranging consultations with State Councilor Yang Jiechi in Beijing," said Ned Price spokesman of the National Security Council. Rice and Yang agreed on the importance of expanding cooperation on a range of issues, including Iran, North Korea, climate change, and global public health, he said.
In addition to discussing preparations for President Xi's visit, Rice emphasized the need to confront differences constructively, including on issues of concern such as cyber, Chinese currency, maritime issues, and human rights, he said.
Rice met with senior Chinese officials in Beijing on August 28-29 to prepare for Xi's visit to the US next month and to discuss bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual concern.
Price said Rice also had productive in-depth exchanges with National Development and Reform Commission Vice Chair Liu He on economic issues, Central Military Commission Vice Chair Fan Changlong on military-military relations, Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng on trade and development issues, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on bilateral, regional, and global issues.
In her meeting with President Xi, Rice reaffirmed the US commitment to develop and deepen practical cooperation in areas of overlapping interest and to address disagreements forthrightly and effectively, Price said.