Several high ranking members of the Chinese and U.S. government officially kicked off a three-day economic and security meeting between both countries in Washington DC on Tuesday.

US Secretary of State John Kerry revealed that the discussions at the ongoing U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue and U.S.-China Consultation on People-to-People Exchanges would be aimed at building on the achievements both countries have made on several issues, including environmental protection. He also noted that both sides would discuss the prospects of collaborating on developmental projects and policies. 

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This is the seventh U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue to be held. During previous meetings, both countries reached agreements on several issues including climate change and technology transfer.

Kerry disclosed that officials from both countries would discuss counterterrorism efforts in the Middle East, as well as the situation with Iran's nuclear ambitions and Afghanistan. He further noted that the talks would also focus on the need to reduce tension in the South China Sea and the East China Seas.

"We will devote a special session to coordinating oceans policy, which is hugely important environmentally, economically, and obviously from the perspective of international order and law. And we look forward to a very frank discussion of cyber security and other ongoing concerns, such as internet freedom, human rights, and religious liberty," he said.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday in China, the spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry Lu Kang reiterated the government's stance on the South China Sea dispute. According to him, the ongoing constructions on the islands and reefs are aimed at improving the lives of the people living there and boost China's commercial abilities. He also echoed the statement of the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russell that the South China Sea dispute is "not fundamentally an issue between the US and China."

Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, who is in participating in the talks in Washington, has said that the ongoing meeting would be aimed at addressing economic issues including financial reform and barriers to trade between both countries.  He also underscored the importance of discussing cyber security.

"We have an enormous stake in each other's economic performance, he said."  "As the world's two largest economies, a mutually beneficial economic relationship is of great importance not only to the prosperity of our own peoples but to the health and development of the global economy."

US Vice President Joe Biden has praised China's growing influence in global security and disaster relief efforts. During his speech at the opening of the discussion on Tuesday, he highlighted China's contribution to the UN peacekeeping operations, the country's stance on North Korea, Iran and terrorism, as well as the government's climate change efforts as evidence of the country's growing influence on the global stage.

Biden said it was imperative for the US and China to agree on ground rules for "rapidly evolving areas' such as space exploration and cyber technology. He also touched on the importance of free competition.

"We must all embrace the role of responsible competitor as well, helping to create and uphold a playing field that is level, fair, and transparent - a field where the rules apply equally not only to the United States and China, but to all responsible competitors regardless of their size," he said, explaining that the effects of China being a "responsible competitor" will be felt globally.

Biden acknowledged that the economic ties between the US and China will continue to grow stronger, emphasizing that the relationship between both countries is "just too important."

On his part, Vice Premier Liu said that China is dedicated to continue to build mutually beneficial relationships with countries across the globe. He stressed that China and the US should strengthen their collaboration. 

TagsU.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue, U.S.-China Consultation on People-to-People Exchanges, US-China relations