From January 17 to 18, 2008, China and the United States held their fifth strategic dialogue in Guiyang, Guizhou. The two-day dialogue was co-chaired by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte. Both sides exchanged in-depth views in a candid manner on international situation, lasting, healthy and stable development of China-U.S. relations, and coordination and cooperation in international and regional issues.

Dai stressed China will follow the road of peaceful development, carry out an opening-up strategy featuring mutual benefits, and strive to promote the building of a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity. Dai said China's development is an opportunity to the United States. Negroponte said the United States welcomes China's development and will devote itself to developing a constructive, long-term, stable relationship of comprehensive cooperation with China.

The two sides agreed to continue to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, maintain high-level exchanges and deepen dialogue and cooperation. They also agreed to strengthen consultations and coordination in international affairs and to properly handle sensitive issues in a bid to push for stable development of China-U.S. relations.

Dai reaffirmed China's principled position on the Taiwan question. He stressed China's firm opposition to Taiwan authorities' splitting activities of "Taiwan independence", including the "UN membership referendum", saying it is of great significance to safeguarding peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and the overall situation of China-U.S. relations.

Negroponte said the United States understands the sensitive nature of Taiwan issue and China's concern in this regard, adding the U.S. side insists on the one-China policy and opposes "Taiwan independence" activities including the "UN membership referendum". He said the U.S. will continue to follow the relevant situation and remain vigilant.

The two sides agreed that the success of Beijing Olympic Games is the common interests of the two countries and they will strengthen cooperation.

Both sides agreed that the coordination and cooperation on international and regional issues enrich the strategic connotations of China-U.S. relations. They expressed willingness to further strengthen dialogue and cooperation in international affairs and work with the international community to jointly promote world peace, stability and development.

The China-U.S. Strategic Dialogue was launched in August 2005 in accordance with the consensus of the two heads of state. Over the past two years, the two sides, through this mechanism, have conducted fruitful exchanges on major strategic issues concerning China-U.S. relations, building mutual trust and understanding and promoting cooperation in all areas. The two officials agreed that this mechanism should continue and that the sixth strategic dialogue will be held within this year in the United States.