WASHINGTON/DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 16 (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will meet Chinese Vice Premier Liu He in Switzerland on Wednesday to exchange views on economic developments and deepen communication between the world's two largest economies, a Treasury official said.
Yellen's first in-person meeting with Liu is part of a pledge by both countries to work to ease tensions following President Joe Biden's talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Indonesia in November.
The meeting will take place a day after Liu addresses the World Economic Forum in Davos, on the first overseas trip by a high-level Chinese government delegation since the country dismantled its three-year-old zero-COVID policy last month.
Liu will meet leaders from other countries and members of the business community including CEOs from tech, consumer and industrial companies as part of a trip meant to show China's willingness to engage on key issues, a Chinese official familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Yellen and Liu will also discuss global challenges like the possibility of a world recession, the corresponding risks, and how to enhance cooperation, the official said.
Yellen will meet Liu in Zurich on the eve of her three-country visit to Africa, where she will focus on strengthening U.S. ties with a continent that has long been the focus of Chinese trade and investment, and issues such as food security.