The first meeting of the China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue is due to be held in Washington today and tomorrow.

As the first episode of the new mechanism that has replaced the previous strategic economic dialogue (SED), the meeting will provide the two powers with an occasion for all-round and indepth talks on bilateral ties under US President Barack Obama's administration. What it will produce is expected to directly determine the future of Sino-US relations.

The dialogue should serve as an important platform for Beijing and Washington to evade risks, control crises and solve issues of common interest to push forward a smooth relationship. Since Obama took office, Sino-US relations have made steady and tangible progress although there still exist hidden troubles and risks, which, if not properly handled, could bring it to standstill or even plunge into retrogress.