US 'welcomes' China to set rules on global affairs: Biden
Biden says Beijing needs to help set rules, as security and trade tensions overshadow talks
The United States and China must be "honest and direct" about their future ties, and Washington welcomed Beijing at the table to set new rules for global affairs, US Vice-President Joe Biden said yesterday, launching key security and economic talks between the two countries.
While striking a cordial tone at the start of the annual US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue, Biden said the world's seas must remain "open and protected" to maintain key trade routes.
"Nations that discard diplomacy and use coercion and intimidation to settle disputes, or turn a blind eye to aggression of others only invite instability," Biden said.
His remarks came against the backdrop of tensions between the two powers on trade, cybersecurity and the South China Sea. China has also locked horns with its neighbours over the disputed waters.
Before the start of the dialogue, US Deputy Secretary of Defence Robert Work warned that China was mounting a serious effort to challenge US military superiority in the sky and space, forcing the Pentagon to seek new technologies and systems.
Biden said the US and China might not resolve all of their differences during the cabinet-level meetings but should commit to working on them.