China This Week: Sino-US Talks; No More Iran Sanctions; Sea Tension with Japan; Ties with Myanmar

High-level talks strengthen Sino-US ties: Lawrence Summers, the head of President Barack Obama's National Economic Council, and Deputy National Security Adviser Tom Donilon visited China from 5 to 8 September, seeking to iron out touchy issues in bilateral relations.

President Hu Jintao called said during a meeting on Wednesday, "Further comprehensive development of Sino-US relations is more important than ever before, as the global economic recovery is facing a variety of unstable and uncertain factors. China and the US should view the bilateral relationship from a global and strategic perspective."

Xu Caihou, vice-chairman of China's Central Military Commission received the US pair later on Wednesday.

These were the highest-level political, economic, and military talks between Beijing and Washington since November.

Meanwhile, the US Department of Defense announced that the aircraft carrier USS George Washington will be sent to waters off the Korean Peninsula to participate in war games with South Korea. China has objected to any military drills off its coast, and the original drills, scheduled for 5-9 September, were postponed. Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell stressed the carrier's deployment was not an affront to China, but rather a warning to North Korea against aggression in the area.

China Postpones Sea Negotiations with Japan: Beijing has postponed talks with Japan on the East China Sea issue as part of its response to the seizure of a Chinese fishing boat.

On Friday a Japanese court, despite Chinese protests, imposed a 10-day detention on the captain of a Chinese trawler which collided with Japanese patrol ships off the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea on Tuesday. No injuries were reported, but the fishing boat was then intercepted by the Japanese patrol.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi summoned Japanese Ambassador Uichiro Niwa on Friday, saying China's determination to defend its sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands and the interests of the Chinese people were unswerving.

China Opposes Iran Sanctions: On Thursday, Beijing expressed its opposition to unilateral sanctions against Iran.

"We hope relevant parties can stick to diplomatic efforts and seek an effective resolution through dialogue and negotiations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said. South Korea unveiled unilateral sanctions on 8 September over Tehran's contentious nuclear programme, following US, European Union, and Japanese measures against Iran.

Central Asia Military Co-Operation Against Terrorism: Top military officers from China, Russia, and three Central Asian nations vowed on Friday to work together to fight terrorism, following recent riots in Kyrgyzstan and amidst challenges in Afghanistan.

Chiefs of general staff from the militaries of the five countries, including Shanghai Cooperation Organization members Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, made the remarks after announcing the start of a 17-day joint anti-terror military exercise in southern Kazakhstan.

Sino-Myanmar Ties Renewed: China and Myanmar agreed on Wednesday, on the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties. to enhance cooperation in key areas including energy and infrastructure.

"Consolidating and developing Sino-Myanmar cooperation and friendship is our unswerving policy. However the international situation might change, this policy will not alter," said President Hu Jintao. Top Chinese military officials also pledged co-operation.

Meanwhile, construction began on the Chinese section of the Sino-Myanmar oil and gas pipeline in Yunnan province in the southwest. CNPC, China's largest oil firm and parent company of PetroChina, will build and operate the pipeline, which is scheduled for completion in 2013.

China, Brazil Military Co-operation: Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie met his Brazilian counterpart Nelson Jobim in Brasilia Wednesday. The two officials pledged an expandsion of bilateral military exchanges.

First Internet Map Licenses: China has handed out the first group of Internet map service licenses to 31 Chinese and joint-venture operators, after authorities tightened market access amid worries that the map services might undermine state security.