US, China must be ‘honest, direct’ about future ties

WAHINGTON — The United States and China must be "honest and direct" about future ties, US Vice President Joe Biden said Tuesday, warning Beijing the world's seaways must remain open for trade.

And in unusually frank comments, Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang agreed the world's two leading economies do not agree on everything, admitting "on some issues consensus still eludes us".

But Wang stressed "dialogue is always more preferable than confrontation".

"China and US must not follow old paths of confrontation and conflict," he stressed. The Chinese delegation is also being led by China's State Councilor Yang Jiechi.

Welcoming the top delegation of Chinese officials to Washington for annual strategic and economic talks, Biden said Beijing must be at the table in all important global negotiations.

"I believe that the future of China's success and global influence is directly tied to the extent to which it acts as a responsible stake-holder," Biden said.

"Essential to this is to find new ways to work together even as we seek to manage future competition."

But he delivered a sharp warning to Beijing amid territorial disputes with Asian neighbours over the South and East China Seas that the world's waterways must remain "open and protected" for trade.

"Responsible countries adhere to international law and work together to keep international sea lanes open for unimpaired commerce. Eighty per cent of all the commerce today is on the back of a ship somewhere floating on the oceans," Biden said.

"The notion of sea lanes being open and protected is even more crucial today than any time in human history, because of the interconnectiveness of the world."

The world's two leading economies remain at odds over China's claims to much of the South China Sea and Washington has repeatedly urged Beijing to stop building artificial islands in the area.

But China said last month it will project its military power further beyond its borders at sea and more assertively in the air.

"Nations that discard diplomacy and use coercion and intimidation to settle disputes, or turn a blind eye to aggression of others only invite instability," Biden warned.

Although the US vice president did not gloss over differences, he praised China for being "a partner" on many issues from nuclear negotiations to climate change.

About 400 Chinese officials have converged on Washington for the high-level annual talks being hosted by Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry and Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew.