Clinton Presses China for 'Balanced' Relationship

For her upcoming economic and strategic talks with China, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she would be looking to maintain a “more balanced economic relationship” with the Asian superpower. Winning Chinese support in punishing North Korea for sinking the South Korean warship will likely be central to the talks, although economic issues will also be presented. Clinton will be accompanied by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner as they press the Chinese for greater regulatory transparency, nondiscrimination, fair access to markets, and strong enforcement of intellectual property rights. Also likely on the table is the trade advantage Beijing has due to the undervalued yuan—China’s currency—which has given Chinese exporters an advantage in overseas markets. “Virtually every major challenge that we face in the world requires China and the United States to work together,” Clinton said.