CRI听力:China, U.S. Officials to Meet for Annual Dialogue, Consultation

Preparations are underway for the latest round of the China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue.

Chinese vice-Premiers Wang Yang and Liu Yandong, along with State Councilor Yang Jiechi, are set to lead the Chinese delegation to next week's meetings in Washington.

The talks are scheduled to take place Tuesday and Wednesday.

Vice-Finance Minister Zhu Guangyao says the economic side of the discussions will focus this time on three main areas.

"Both sides will hold in-depth discussions on three special topics: macroeconomics polices and structural reforms, promotion of trade and investment, as well as stability and reforms of the financial market."

On the strategic side, areas of discussion during the forthcoming session are expected to focus mostly on non-critical areas such as education, health and sports.

However, it's widely expected areas of strategic importance, including the South China Sea, will be discussed.

Assistant Chinese Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang says the Chinese side is prepared for these topics.

"Towards these issues, first, we won't avoid them and will consistently safeguard the interests of China. Second, we will strengthen the mutrual trust between China and US to deal with these kinds of conflicts. Only in this way can we maintain the sound and stable development of Sino-US relations."

The US side to next weeks talks will be led by US Secretary of State John Kerry and Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew.

Discussions are also expected to be held on the sidelines of the meetings to pave the way for Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the US in September.