US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick will head a US delegation to hold regular, senior-level talks on a whole range of political and economic issues with China. [AFP]

    BEIJING, April 9 -- The US and China have agreed for the first time ever to hold regular, senior-level talks.

    The US State Department says the US and China have agreed for the first time ever to hold regular, senior-level talks on a whole range of political and economic issues.

    State Department spokesman Richard Boucher notes the talks reflect the recognition of the "role that China is playing in Asia, in global affairs, as a member of the UN Security Council".

    He adds the decision to hold the discussions was reached between Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Chinese leaders during her visit to Beijing last month and the details, structure and timing of the talks are still to be worked out.

    In a related development, the Washington Post reports the landmark meetings, which the US government had chosen to call a "global dialogue," will be headed by Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick. Enditem

(Source: CRIENGLISH.com)