The Chinese and U.S. governments have prioritized their work
during the coming six months following the third China-U.S.
Strategic Economic Dialogue. They are as follows:
-- Further intensify dialogue and exchanges in the areas of
product and consumer safety, including food, feed, and drug and
medical products, through new and existing bilateral cooperation
mechanisms.
-- Conduct extensive cooperation over a ten-year period to
address energy and the environment, advance technological
innovation, adoption of highly-efficient, clean energy technology
and technology in addressing climate change, and promote the
sustainability of natural resources. A working group will be
started in order to start planning as soon as possible.
-- Meet early next year and work together to jointly promote the
negotiation in the WTO on the reduction or, as appropriate, the
elimination of tariffs and non-tariff barriers to environmental
goods and services to achieve results as soon as possible,
recognizing the urgency of environmental challenges.
-- Expand cooperation on development of a detailed plan to
gradually reduce the sulfur content in fuels to 50 ppm or lower and
introduce corresponding advanced vehicle pollution control
technology, for incorporation into China's 12th Five Year Plan
(2011-2015).
-- Strengthen cooperation on construction and management of
strategic oil stocks through the exchanges of information and
technologies, as well as training, including cooperation with the
International Energy Agency.
-- Begin a high-level exchange of investment policies,
practices, and climates. Intensify ongoing discussions regarding
the prospects for negotiating a Bilateral Investment Treaty.
-- Continue consultations in a cooperative manner on China
achieving market economy status. Continue cooperation through the
High Technology and Strategic Trade Working Group under the Joint
Commission on Commerce and Trade by positively implementing
"Guidelines for U.S.-China High Technology and Strategic Trade
Development" and taking appropriate constructive measures and
working out an action plan to expand and facilitate bilateral
high-tech and strategic trade. Relevant departments of the two
sides have agreed to meet or hold a digital video conference (DVC)
in the field of rules of origin.
-- Explore the scope of respective international obligations on
transparency. Continue to exchange information on reviewing and
responding to comments received during the rulemaking process.
Establish a communication mechanism to exchange information
regularly on the conditions, procedures and timeframes for granting
administrative licenses in areas of the Chinese market of interest
to the United States and areas of the U.S. market to China.
(Xinhua News Agency December 13, 2007)
