WASHINGTON, DC – Financial Services Forum President Rob Nichols issued the following statement on the conclusion of the U.S.-China Strategic & Economic Dialogue.

"The U.S. and China share one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world today, and the Strategic & Economic Dialogue (S&ED) is a critical platform on which to build and develop this relationship. In light of the unprecedented challenges facing the global economy, and the significance of the U.S.-China relationship, high-level talks such as the S&ED are more important than ever.

"The S&ED is the ideal forum to address many important issues in this relationship including facilitation of continued reform and modernization of China's underdeveloped financial sector. A modern financial system is critical to China achieving its own economic goals of maintaining high rates of growth and job creation, and building a more services-based, consumer-driven economy – goals very much in the interest of the United States. Fair and competitive access to China's fast-growing middle class and business sector represents an enormous commercial opportunity for American manufacturers, farmers, and service providers.

"The Forum applauds Secretary Geithner and Vice Premier Wang Qishan for their shared commitment to strengthen the economic link between the U.S. and China, and we encourage future meetings of the S&ED."