U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson announced Tuesday that he has appointed Alan F. Holmer as Special Envoy for China and for the Strategic Economic Dialogue.

Holmer, who once was Deputy U.S. Trade Representative under President Ronald Reagan, will "lead a strong Administration team managing the bilateral economic relationship with China," said the ministry in as statement.

"Alan brings a wealth of international and leadership experience that will allow him to hit the ground running, and lead successful efforts to help the Chinese government move toward a balanced, growing economy that is not reliant on large external surpluses," said Paulson.

The Strategic Economic Dialogue between the two the United States and China will kick off the second meeting in Washington, DC, on May 23 and 24, said the statement. The first meeting of the Dialogue was held in Beijing last December.

"I believe that the Strategic Dialogue, where we speak with one voice with the highest levels of the Chinese government, is the most effective way to make progress on immediate issues and on the longer term issues that we face with China," said Paulson.

Source: Xinhua