There is an urgent need to maintain China-US strategic stability and to reduce misunderstandings, he said.

John Frisbie, president of the US-China Business Council, an organization comprising US companies investing and trading in China, said the dialogue comes three months before President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Barack Obama meet during the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, in September.

Some of the outcomes are likely to be resolved at the presidents' September meeting, rather than at the dialogue, he said.

Zhiqun Zhu, an associate professor of political science and international relations at Bucknell University in the US, said the annual dialogues have helped to keep communication channels open and to stabilize the bilateral relationship when it is being challenged by various factors.

"No matter who the next US president is, such crucial dialogue mechanisms must be maintained to ensure stability and continuity of the relationship. The communication channels must stay open when the two sides are experiencing serious challenges," he said.

Contact the writer at anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn