China's economic development and reform agency and the US State Department jointly held a conference in Beijing this week to discuss economic development and reform.

Ma Kai, minister in charge of the National Development and Reform Commission, and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick attended the conference.

During the conference, China and the US held in-depth talks on topics including economic development strategy, energy policy and energy security, overseas investment, and the role of international organizations.

The conference is the fourth of its kind since 2003. Both parties held that it has become an effective channel for communication and exchange.

In previous conferences, China and US have discussed such topics as economic reform, information technology, old industrial base upgrades, and agricultural development.