Chinese FM meets Clinton

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi (R) shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during their meeting in Phuket, Thailand, on July 22, 2009. (Xinhua/Liu Lianfen)

BEIJING, July 24 -- China and the United States need to maintain high-level contact and deepen cooperation in various areas of common concern, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi told U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton Wednesday.

Yang met Clinton in Thailand's southern resort island Phuket before Thursday's ASEAN Regional Forum.

Yang said China and the United States should keep close communication and collaboration on global issues and properly handle disputes and sensitive issues so that bilateral relations can be pushed forward.

Clinton said the United States hopes to cooperate closely with China in dealing with challenges and threats such as the global financial crisis and international terrorism to maintain world peace and security.

Yang and Clinton also discussed the first China-U.S. strategic and economic dialogue, which will be held in Washington from July 27 to 28.

The dialogue will focus on the challenges and opportunities that both countries face on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global areas of immediate and long-term strategic and economic interests.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Phuket. (XHTV)