Burns to visit China for ‘strategic’ talks

WASHINGTON—US Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns will head for Asia next week for “strategic” talks with China, South Korea and Japan, the State Department announced.
In Beijing, Burns will take part in the third round of the US-China Senior Dialogue, a forum created by US and Chinese leaders at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum two years ago.
“The Senior Dialogue reflects the importance and depth of the US-China relationship, providing a venue to consider the strategic implications of policies in a variety of areas,” the State Department said in a statement.
“The goal is to better guide cooperation and also manage differences to support the international system and help it adapt to new challenges.”
Subsequent talks in Seoul will focus on promoting democratic institutions and respect for human rights, regional security, UN reform and support for peacekeeping and relief efforts around the world among other matters, officials said.
Burns, who will be accompanied by Under Secretary of State for International Security Affairs Robert Joseph, will also visit Tokyo “for strategic consultations” with Japan.
North Korea, which conducted a nuclear test last month, confirmed Wednesday it would return to six-party talks aimed at halting its nuclear program. The talks involve the two Koreas, China, the United States, Japan and Russia.

—The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item