Inside Story

Can Washington and Beijing work together?

As tensions over the South China Sea continue, the United States and China are holding talks in Beijing.

There are a lot of issues that divide the world’s two biggest economic powers, the US and China.

Territorial disputes in the South China Sea, trade practices, and currency concerns are some of those issues.

But every year, hundreds of Chinese and American officials meet to discuss their differences and try to find solutions.

It is an initiative launched by President Barack Obama, with the aim of building trust.

The dispute in the South China Sea has been a central point of tension in recent US-China relations.

The US government has challenged China’s claims in the region and has increased its support for some of the other countries involved.

So, how far is Washington willing to go to find a solution? and how will China respond?

Presenter: Hazem Sika

Guests:

Einar Tangen, political affairs analyst and economic affairs commentator.

Francois Godement, director of the Asia and China Programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

Simon Long, Banyan Columnist for the Economist.