II. Addressing Regional and Global Challenges

23. Regional and Global Issues: Decided to enhance communication and coordination on regional and global issues to jointly address common challenges and to safeguard peace and stability.

24. The Korean Peninsula: Held in-depth consultations on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and agreed on the fundamental importance of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner—the goal of the Six-Party Talks, as outlined in the September 19, 2005, Joint Statement—and reiterated their joint commitment to implement the September 19, 2005, Joint Statement and to continue high-level discussions to achieve this shared goal and to achieve peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula. Both sides noted that all Six-Party members have an important role to play in making this goal a reality and underscored the importance of working together to ensure full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2094 and other relevant resolutions by all UN Member States. Both sides also called for the necessary steps by all parties that would create the conditions for resumption of the Six-Party Talks on denuclearization and other relevant issues.

25. Iran: On the Iranian nuclear issue, the two sides reiterated the understanding expressed in the 2011 US-China Joint Statement and reaffirmed their commitment to seeking a comprehensive and long-term solution that would restore international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program, while respecting Iran’s right to the peaceful use of the nuclear energy consistent with its obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. The two sides are agreed that Iran should fulfill its international obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and both sides called for full implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 1696, 1737, 1747, 1803, 1835, and 1929. The United States and China reaffirmed their commitment to taking active part in the P5+1 negotiations with Iran and called on Iran to take concrete actions to satisfy the concerns of the international community through negotiations with the P5+1. Both sides commended their constructive cooperation on the Iranian nuclear issue and agreed to enhance such cooperation.

26. Syria: Held in-depth discussions on Syria. The United States and China reiterated their shared commitment to preparing for the Geneva Conference on Syria and to trying to resolve the crisis through political means in order to bring about a Syrian-led peaceful political transition that establishes a transitional governing body by mutual consent with full executive powers. The two sides reaffirmed their opposition to the use or proliferation of chemical weapons. The United States and China expressed deep concern over the humanitarian situation and called for measures to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people. Both sides urged all parties in Syria to protect civilians and avoid civilian casualties.

27. Afghanistan: Decided to expand coordination in advance of the 2014 drawdown in support of their shared interest in political stability and economic revitalization in Afghanistan. The two sides decided to continue in 2013 the joint diplomatic training program for Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials, which began in 2012, and to pursue other joint assistance projects in health. The two sides also intend to continue to work together in support of regional cooperation efforts such as the Istanbul Process, and the United States welcomed China’s decision to host the next ministerial meeting in 2014.

28. Sudan/South Sudan: Reaffirmed the importance of encouraging peace within and between Sudan and South Sudan and a productive dialogue between their governments on all bilateral issues, including full implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions and all of the September 27, 2012, agreements. Decided to maintain communication and consultation on the issues concerning Sudan and South Sudan, coordinate actions on the basis of respecting related parties’ concerns, support the peaceful coexistence of the two countries, and safeguard safety and stability in the region, including through full implementation of the UN peacekeeping missions there.

29. Asia-Pacific: Acknowledged our common interests and challenges in the region and shared goal of maintaining peace, stability, and prosperity. The United States reaffirmed that it welcomes a strong, prosperous, and successful China that plays a greater role in world affairs. China welcomed the United States as an Asia-Pacific nation that contributes to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. The two sides decided to work together to maintain peace, stability, and prosperity of the region. The two sides agreed that constructive US-China relations are critical to both US and Chinese policies in the Asia-Pacific. Both sides reaffirmed efforts to build a more stable, peaceful, and prosperous Asia-Pacific region and to enhance communication and coordination in the Asia-Pacific region to address pressing regional challenges. The two sides also discussed the latest developments in the Asia-Pacific Region. The two sides decided to enhance communication and coordination in the multilateral frameworks of the region, such as APEC, the East Asia Summit (EAS), and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). The two sides also decided to strengthen cooperation in the Pacific Islands. The Asia-Pacific Consultations met since the last round of the S&ED, and the two sides decided to hold the next round this autumn in China.

30. Middle East Dialogue: Reviewed progress during two rounds of the Middle East Dialogue since it was created at the last round of the S&ED. The United States and China decided to hold a third round in 2014.

31. Law of the Sea and Polar Issues: Held the fourth round of the Dialogue on Law of the Sea and Polar Issues in Alameda, California, April 8-9, 2013. The two sides decided to hold the fifth round in China in order to deepen cooperation on international oceans law and policy, the Arctic, and Antarctica.

32. Ross Sea: Affirmed their commitment to work together closely on the issue of establishing a marine protected area in the Ross Sea of Antarctica especially in the time prior to and during the Second Special Meeting of the Commission on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) to be held July 15-16, 2013, in Bremerhaven, Germany.

33. Climate Change Working Group: Established the US-China Climate Change Working Group in April 2013, pursuant to the Joint Statement on Climate Change by the United States and China, to develop and implement significant proposals for bilateral cooperation on climate change between the two countries. Mr. Todd Stern, US Special Envoy for Climate Change, and Mr. Xie Zhenhua, Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, jointly led the Working Group. The Working Group presented the “Report of the US-China Climate Change Working Group to the Strategic and Economic Dialogue” at a special joint session of the S&ED and was mandated to implement its recommended initiatives. The two sides decided to enhance actions to combat climate change through new pragmatic cooperation on heavy-duty and other vehicles; smart grids; carbon capture, utilization, and storage; collecting and managing greenhouse gas data; and energy efficiency in buildings and industry. The Working Group will also explore other possible areas for bilateral climate change cooperation and will continue to enhance our policy dialogue on the multilateral negotiation process as well as on domestic climate policy. The Working Group will carry forward the agreement of President Obama and President Xi Jinping on hydrofluorocarbons.

34. Development Cooperation: Building on cooperation in Afghanistan and Timor-Leste, the two sides decided to explore additional joint development projects in other third countries by first conducting joint feasibility studies on programs and projects requested by the recipient country and decided by all parties. Potential areas for future cooperation include regional integration, food and nutrition security, financial stability, and inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

35. Dialogue on Global Development: Decided to establish a Dialogue on Global Development, co-chaired by the US Agency for International Development and the Ministry of Commerce of China and with participation from relevant ministries and agencies on both sides. The dialogue is to provide a framework to exchange views on development issues, share lessons learned, and discuss cooperation, so as to maintain momentum toward our shared goals of poverty reduction, economic growth, and sustainable development. Under the framework, the two sides intend to assess existing development cooperation programs and projects between the United States and China and discuss possibilities for further cooperation. The two sides intend to discuss international development issues, including the inclusive Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation.

36. Anti-Malaria Cooperation: Decided to continue collaborating on malaria and drug-resistant malaria control strategy through technical dialogue and information sharing.

37. Peacekeeping: Exchanged views on current United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, reaffirmed their joint commitment to deepening dialogue on peacekeeping issues, and decided to establish peacekeeping exchanges between their relevant departments and ministries that would enhance their capabilities in this critical area.