CRI听力:China, U.S. Hold High-level Anti-terror Dialogue

The meeting was co-hosted by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping and the anti-terrorism coordinator of the US State Department, Ambassador Tina Ksidanow.

Both sides have exchanged views on the global anti-terrorism situation as well as discussing issues and policies within China and the US.

The Chinese Vice Foreign Minister says the anti-terrorism issue is a core concern of both China and the US.

Cheng Guoping also urges the US side to abandon "double standards" in addressing terrorism.

"Recently at West Point, President Obama said terrorism activities are now the most direct threat to the US. China as well has listed the fight against terrorism as the primary task to maintain social stability. For now the ultimate concern for China is to fight against the East Turkestan Islamic Movement and to maintain the stability and development in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. And the US has showed understanding and willingness to cooperate with China in this field. However, we also have concerns about, and object to, what we see as a US double-standard on anti-terrorism issues."

Despite the differences, senior officials from the two sides did agree that terrorism, in all its forms, should be condemned.

At such, the two sides are also mapping out future cooperation in this field.

And to strenthen mutual consultation, according to Cheng, will be the first step.

"The consultation will be institutionalized. It will be an annual meeting at least. Based on actual situations, the two sides can hold such consultations at any time. In addition to the vice-ministerial level meetings, there will be other seminars on anti-terrorism cooperation. In other words, the cooperation will be all-rounded and come along with practical cooperation. "

The consultation is one of the follow-up events to the six round of China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue, which was recently held in Beijing.

"The meeting marks closer political cooperation between China and the US, and it helps promoting mutual trust and joint work in the field of anti-terrorism. It also paves the way for President Obama's state visit to China in November. There is plenty of room for Sino-US cooperation, and that accords with the common interests of our two peoples who also have a vested interest in world stability. "
It's been agreed that the next such consultation will be held in China in due time.

For CRI, I'm He Fei in Washington.