Context
Senior Chinese and US officials will seek to enhance the vast and often contentious ties between the two nations during two days of strategic talks starting in Washington on Monday. In addition to economic concerns, other issues that will come under discussion include foreign policy, political and security issues, and human rights. Though the talks will cover a range of international affairs from South Asia to the Middle East, the issue that is likely to dominate the talks is that of North Korea, China’s long-time war ally that has long remained at the center of regional tensions. These talks have taken on added emphasis in the wake of Arab spring uprisings and the elimination of Osama bin Laden.
