Beijing (AsiaNews) – The governments of China and the United States agree on the need for more stable relations, increasingly vital for both nations, but marked by different views on economic, military and diplomatic issues. Taiwan, custom duties, protectionism and the value of the renminbi have caused a chasm between the two sides, which are now trying to repair channels of communication.

The first signal in the new course comes from Chinese Wen Jiabao who is planning to use a meeting with US President Barack Obama later this month to make an offer to increase "vigorously" imports from the United States, in an effort to aid economic recovery and ward off US protectionism, diplomats say.

The closed-door meeting is part of a series of diplomatic, economic and military steps taken by the two countries in order to improve bilateral relations.

A second signal was yesterday’s meeting in Beijing between Chinese President Hu Jintao and two senior White House officials, National Economic Council Director Larry Summers and Deputy National Security Adviser Tom Donilon.

The three came together after officials from both governments met for three days without Hu’s participation. Their meetings over, the president said, “I've heard your discussions have gone well. I am sure that this visit will certainly enhance mutual communication and mutual trust. Since President Obama assumed office, China-US relations have on the whole maintained healthy development thanks to the efforts of both sides,” he added.

None of the participants explained what was said during the talks but the two nations have several points of contention on the table. Washington wants the revaluation of the renminbi, which China’s artificially keeps low, in order to make US manufacturing more competitive. Hitherto, Beijing has refused to comply with such a request, which it views as a domestic issue, but has inched its currency upward a little bit, a move welcomed in the United States.

For its part, China has expressed concern for US military operations off its coast. In recent months, the US Navy has carried out a number of joint military exercises with South Korea.

China has responded to the US show of force by deploying its navy. Through a spokesman for the People’s Liberation Army, it also warned the Americans of not going too far.

The Yellow Sea is another major issue as four Asian nations claim a piece of that body of water. For Washington, it is also an important card to use in its negotiations with Beijing on economic matters.

Some resolution in that area seems to have come anyway. The two countries have in fact agreed to resume military exchanges, indicating improving Sino-US ties after months of tension. Military exchanges had been put on ice eight months ago when the US Congress approved arms sale to Taiwan, and Obama hosted the Dalai Lama at the White House.

The issue is expected to be on the discussion table during a state visit to the US by President Hu Jintao in January next year.

Originally scheduled for this fall, the visit was postponed indefinitely to show Beijing’s displeasure, something it does whenever it cannot get its way.