5 things you need to know about S&ED

Global Business

The U.S.–China Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) is a high-level dialogue for the United States and China to discuss a wide range of bilateral, regional and global political, strategic, security, and economic issues between both countries.


WHAT IS S&ED?
The establishment of the S&ED was announced on April 1, 2009 by U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao. The upgraded mechanism replaced the former Senior Dialogue and Strategic Economic Dialogue started under the George W. Bush administration. The format is such that high-level representatives of both countries and their delegations will meet annually at capitals alternating between the two countries.

The S&ED has both a “Strategic Track” and an “Economic Track”. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi co-chair the “Strategic Track”. U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew and Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang co-chair the “Economic Track”.

WHEN DID IT START?
The creation of the S&ED was announced on April 1, 2009 in London at the G-20 summit by President Barack Obama and President Hu Jintao during their first meeting. The upgraded mechanism replaced the former Senior Dialogue and Strategic Economic Dialogue started under the George W. Bush administration. High-level representatives of both countries and their delegations meet annually at capitals alternating between the two countries. The first meeting was held in Washington, D.C. on July 27–28, 2009.

WHAT IS ITS PURPOSE?
The S&ED is an ongoing and intensive mechanism for addressing the challenges and opportunities that the United States and China face on a wide range of bilateral, regional, and global areas of immediate and long-term strategic and economic interest. Both President Barack Obama of the U.S. and former Chinese President Hu Jintao of China have placed the S&ED at the center of the bilateral relationship and are committed to delivering concrete, meaningful, and sustained progress over time on long-term strategic and economic objectives through the S&ED.

HOW S&ED STRUCTURED?
The S&ED is organized around a high-level, cross-cutting structure that addresses the geopolitical nature of mutual concerns in strategic and economic discussions. The S&ED provides a forum for ongoing and productive bilateral engagement between U.S. and Chinese officials with diverse responsibilities for both economic and strategic issues. The structure of the S&ED allows for a plenary session to discuss issues of cross-cutting strategic and economic importance, while maintaining distinct strategic and economic tracks. Each respective track will involve focused discussions on issues of mutual immediate and long-term strategic or economic interest. The S&ED will meet semi-annually to facilitate robust engagement and progress between dialogues through coordination with existing bilateral dialogues and working-level interactions.

WHO WILL PARTICIPATE THE MEETING?
The S&ED brings together senior leadership representing the U.S. and Chinese governments. Special representatives are appointed by Presidents of both countries. Various other U.S. Cabinet and sub-Cabinet officials and heads of Chinese ministries, bureaus and commissions will participate in the Dialogue depending on the issues being discussed.