BEIJING - The sixth round of China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) and the fifth round of High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange (CPE) started in Beijing on Wednesday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.

The S&ED will be co-chaired by Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang and State Councilor Yang Jiechi, as well as US Secretary of State John Kerry and Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew. The CPE will be hosted by Vice Premier Liu Yandong and Kerry.

This year's strategic dialogue covers a wide range of topics of domestic and foreign policy, including climate change, science and innovation, Sudan and South Sudan, UN peacekeeping and the illegal trade in animals and plants, as well as interactions in the Asia-Pacific region, according to Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang.

The economic dialogue will address issues of the macro economy, trade and investment cooperation and transnational regulations.

The annual CPE focuses on closer links between the two countries' youth, with highlights including a school cooperation program proposed by Xi's wife Peng Liyuan and Obama's wife Michelle Obama and a commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the exchange of students.