United States Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott departs his hotel for talks Beijing February 17. Talbott is leading a delegation of senior US officials for talks in Beijing on touchy strategic issues, particularly Taiwan. Diplomats said with Taiwan heading for a presidential election next month Talbott was keen to avert a standoff between Washington and Beijing. Talbott injured his knee while jogging in Japan on Tuesday.

NB/PB