By Qin Jize (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-11-30 07:14

The third China-US Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) will be held in Beijing from December 12, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said Thursday.

The two-day dialogue will be co-chaired by Vice-Premier Wu Yi and US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, who will lead the special representatives, including ministers and other senior officials of their respective countries.

Reports quoting a US diplomat said Washington views the year-old SED with Beijing as useful, and the meeting will focus on trade integrity, balanced economic development, energy conservation, financial sector reforms, environmental sustainability and advancing bilateral investment.

China and the US have maintained close consultations and communication on issues of common concern both at global and bilateral levels, Liu said.

Bilateral ties are developing smoothly, except the harm caused by "wrongdoings" of some US leaders, he said, referring to US President George W. Bush's meeting with the Dalai Lama, who was honored by the US Congress.

China appreciates US opposition to Taiwan authorities' planned referendum for UN membership and urges American leaders to stop sending wrong signals to the island by selling it weapons, Liu said.

Kitty Hawk incident

Referring to the US media clamor over the USS Kitty Hawk incident, Liu said they were groundless.

"Reports that China said the incident was a misunderstanding don't conform to facts," Liu said. China conducts its approval procedures according to the principle of sovereignty and specific situations.

"China allowed the USS Kitty Hawk to dock in Hong Kong because of humanitarian consideration, and the later US decision of not doing so was up to them (the Americans)," Liu said.

China has not received any protest from the US, he said, adding that he didn't think there should be a protest over the issue.

Unhappy with Germany

Beijing Thursday expressed strong dissatisfaction with Berlin's irresponsible criticism of the Chinese government and its nationals living in Germany, and urged that country's officials to stop trying to damage China's image and bilateral ties.

China has made solemn representation to Germany, Liu said. From early this year, officials of certain departments of Germany have been criticizing the Chinese government and its nationals living in Germany on the basis of hearsay.

Liu's remarks were in reaction to some recent reports in the German media that quoted officials as having said that China is one of the major countries that has been spying on the German government.