Statement by NSC Spokesperson Ned Price on National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice's Meetings in Beijing, China

National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice met with senior Chinese officials in Beijing, China on August 28-29 to prepare for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the United States next month and to discuss bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual concern. Ambassador Rice held candid, fruitful and wide-ranging consultations with State Councilor Yang Jiechi in Beijing. Ambassador Rice and State Councilor Yang agreed on the importance of expanding cooperation on a range of issues, including Iran, North Korea, climate change, and global public health. In addition to discussing preparations for President Xi's visit, Ambassador Rice emphasized the need to confront differences constructively, including on issues of concern such as cyber, Chinese currency, maritime issues, and human rights.

Ambassador Rice also had productive in-depth exchanges with National Development and Reform Commission Vice Chair Liu He on economic issues, Central Military Commission Vice Chair Fan Changlong on military-military relations, Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng on trade and development issues, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on bilateral, regional, and global issues. In her meeting with President Xi, Ambassador Rice reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to develop and deepen practical cooperation in areas of overlapping interest and to address disagreements forthrightly and effectively.