US National Security Adviser Susan Rice met Chinese officials on Monday for talks that were expected to focus on building consensus ahead of US President Barack Obama’s visit to Beijing in November.
Chinese state media said Ms. Rice’s visit fell at “a particularly critical time when it is of great urgency for the United States to reaffirm its commitment and sincerity to Beijing.”
Before closed talks with State Councillor Yang Jiechi, China’s top diplomat, Mr. Rice said Mr. Obama had sent her to Beijing “because of the priority he attaches to US-China relations.”
“Having this kind of high-level continuing dialogue is helpful to enable us to sustain and to deepen the type of productive relations and good work that’s necessary for US interests, for China’s interests, and for the interests of the global community,” she said.
Mr. Obama was looking forward to “the opportunity to have yet another very important round of bilateral discussions” with the leaders of China and other nations at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November, Ms. Rice said.
