Former U.S. secretary of state: China, U.S. indispensable for future global efforts

Source: Xinhua | 04-03-2009 16:36

HOUSTON, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Forging a peaceful, productive Sino-U.S. relationship could be the foremost task in the first half of the 21st century because any future attempt to stabilize the world must include both China and the U.S., former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker said Thursday.

Sino-U.S. ties are vital because both countries and the world are now facing unprecedented challenges and because of the roles the two nations play, Baker said on the eve of a conference to mark the 30th anniversary of the normalization of China-U.S. diplomatic relations.

The former secretary of state said a vast range exists for Sino-U.S. cooperation across a spectrum of important international issues such as the Middle East and arms control. That's as long as both sides are wise enough to identify areas where their interests converge, he said

As an example, Baker said, global climate change is another area that needs the join efforts of China and the U.S. "Any effort to address global climate change will fail if it does not include participation by China and the United States," Baker said.

There is significant room for collaboration between China and the U.S. in developing and deploying cleaner coal technologies, Baker said.

Another area rich with possible cooperation is energy security, Baker said. He noted that the recent roller-coaster ride in the oil markets, which saw a five-fold price increase before a collapse last year, has demonstrated the cost of volatility in terms of economic growth.