The Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi has met the visiting US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson in Beijing.

Paulson is on a two-day visit to China before the bi-annual round of the Strategic Economic Dialogue between the two nations in June.

Yang Jiechi said he anticipates the next round of the dialogue in Washington D.C.

"We appreciate the contribution that you've made to promote the relationship and I hope your visit to China this time can really pave the ground for the next session of the strategic economic dialogue."

Paulson thanked the minister.

"This is an important time to be here. You have a new government. We're very committed to the strategic economic dialogue and committed to continuing to make progress."

PAULSON also held talks with his new Chinese negotiating counterpart Vice Premier Wang Qishan and director of China's National Development and Reform Commission, Zhang Ping.

China and the US agreed to hold their fourth round of the dialogue in the US and it is expected Wang Qishan and Paulson will jointly preside.

Launched in September 2006, the bi-annual event lets officials from both sides discuss long-term, strategic and comprehensive subjects in the bilateral relationship.