The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Shanghai

China and the United States have agreed to deepen a dialogue on nuclear and Asian security issues following the end of high-level talks in Beijing this week, the US defence department said Saturday.

The discussions were part of ongoing Sino-US defence consultations aimed at increasing mutual understanding and avoiding miscalculation between the two powers, said David Sedney, deputy assistant secretary of defence for East Asia.

"We had very positive discussions on that (nuclear strategy and policy) and we expect to be moving forward with that dialogue very shortly," Sedney said at a press briefing in Shanghai.

"We also had an in-depth exchange of each other's views of Asian security issues -- that will lay the basis for us continuing that kind of discussion that we both agree is very important."

The talks were followed by a signing on Friday of two agreements announced earlier this week between the countries.