The dialogue is a new peak in Sino-US relations, following recent frequent high-level visits and exchanges between the two countries.
During his stopover in Hong Kong on Saturday, Zoellick said he would discuss "strategic issues of common interest" such as foreign policy and the economy with senior Chinese officials. The two nations would seek negotiations rather than confrontations in tackling their conflicts and differences.
China and the United States have agreed to continue their consultations to seek a solution to textile trade disputes.
The annual session of the Joint Committee on Commerce and Trade was held on July 11 in Beijing.
The two sides agreed to set up co-operation mechanisms on cross border prosecutions for intellectual property rights violations and on the protection of copyrights for movies.
Zoellick said the discussions with Chinese officials would enable the two countries "to get a better sense of one another's interests: where there are points of mutuality - and I believe there are many; how to work co-operatively; but also, where we have differences, how best to try to manage them."
Zoellick is another important member of the Bush administration to visit China within a month, following US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Trade Representative Rob Portman, Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns.
The dialogue coincides with the fourth round ofSix-Party Talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue now under way in Beijing - an issue showcasing Sino-US co-operation.
Also yesterday, the inter-parliamentary group of the National People's Congress of China and the US Congress held its 7th meeting in Beijing, exchanging views on bilateral relations, trade disputes and the Taiwan question.
China Council for Promotion of International Trade
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