China praises ’sound’ relationship with US during talks with economic, security officials

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China praises ’sound, stable’ relationship with US

BEIJING — Senior U.S. and Chinese officials met Monday to steady relations beset by tensions over currency, trade and military affairs.

With crucial elections coming up in November, U.S. President Barack Obama is under huge pressure to kick-start the economy with unemployment at just under 10 percent. China’s lopsided trade surplus and currency policies have been targeted by some who say they are taking jobs away from Americans.

Meanwhile, China’s nationalistic state media have criticized U.S.-South Korea military exercises off the Chinese coast, as well as what it perceives as U.S. interference in South China Sea territorial disputes.

A top Communist Party official said the relationship between the world’s two largest economies was “sound,” but noted there were some difficulties earlier this year that leaders of the countries have pledged to overcome.

Li Yuanchao, who runs the party’s organization department that controls senior appointments, made the remarks while receiving the U.S. delegation that includes National Economic Council Director Larry Summers and Deputy National Security Adviser Tom Donilon.

“Although there were some disturbances in China-US relations, in April and May after President Obama and President Hu Jintao had two meetings, our relations have gotten back on a sound track,” Li said. “The two heads of state have agreed to establish a positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship for the 21st century.”

The U.S. officials also met with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, who noted that Beijing attached great importance to the talks and hoped for “positive outcomes.”

“Continuing to develop a positive and comprehensive China-U.S. relationship contributes to our two countries’ major interests in peace, security and development,” Yang said.

The U.S. officials are set to meet later Monday with China’s top trade official Vice Premier Wang Qishan.