Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy R. Sherman and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun on August 14 held the inaugural round of U.S.-China Middle East Dialogue in Beijing, as agreed to at the fourth round of the Strategic and Economic Dialogue in May.

The two sides held constructive discussions regarding developments in the Middle East. The United States and China discussed ways for both countries to promote greater cooperation on regional and global challenges including energy security. Under Secretary Sherman and Vice Foreign Minister Zhai also discussed pressing issues in the Middle East, with particular attention to Iran and Syria.

The United States reiterated its commitment to working together to build a cooperative partnership with China and welcomed China playing a more active and positive role in world affairs.