Reuters: U.S. to set up 'economic dialogue' group
SUMMIT-UPDATE 1-China, U.S. to set up 'economic dialogue' group
Wed Apr 1, 2009 10:35am EDT
LONDON, April 1 (Reuters) - The United States and China agreed on Wednesday to establish a "strategic and economic dialogue" group that would first meet in Washington later this year.
World Bank President Robert Zoellick urged the two powers on Tuesday to work more closely to haul the world economy out of recession, saying their cooperation could help stop splits forming between leading and emerging economies.
"The two sides decided to establish the 'U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue,'" the White House said in a statement after U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao met at a G20 meeting in London.
"The two sides will hold the first round of the dialogue in Washington D.C. this summer."
It said U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan would chair the economic talks.
Obama told reporters at the start of the talks that he hoped the two sides would strengthen their relationship to "help to set the stage for how the world deals with a whole host of challenges".
In the two leaders' first meeting, Hu stressed China's commitment to strengthen macroeconomic control and expand domestic demand, the White House said. The two leaders also agreed to work together to renew world economic growth and strengthen the financial system.
The two leaders also agreed in London to resume discussions about human rights as soon as possible. (Reporting by Matt Spetalnick and Caren Bohan; editing by Janet McBride)