Chinese President Hu Jintao's Special Representative and Vice Premier Wang Qishan (R) meets with Henry M. Paulson (L), special representative of US President George W. Bush and the US Treasury Secretary, in Beijing, China, April 2, 2008. Paulson arrived in Beijing on Wednesday to start his two-day China trip for preparation for the fourth round of China-US Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED). (Xinhua Photo) 

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan held talks with US Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson in Beijing on Wednesday morning on advancing the process of the China-US Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) and bilateral economic ties.

During the talks held in the Great Hall of People, Wang said Paulson's visit so soon after China's government reshuffle showed that Paulson attached great importance to the China-US relations and the SED.

China and the United States have reached many agreements since the establishment of the SED, which made a great contribution to the development of mutual trust and the steady growth of bilateral relations, Wang said.

"The SED is playing a more important role now," said Wang, pledging both sides to use the dialogue as a substantial platform to push forward the China-US strategic ties of cooperation, in the principle of mutual-benefit and mutual-trust.

The fourth round of the SED will be held in the United States in June. Wang and Paulson are expected to jointly preside over the dialogue.