US and Chinese diplomats hold ‘candid, constructive, fruitful discussions’
- Announcement comes amid recent high-level overtures to boost dialogue between the countries after months of worsening ties
- Two sides said to have ‘exchanged views’ on the bilateral relationship, cross-strait issues and channels of communication
Senior American and Chinese diplomats held “candid, constructive and fruitful” discussions on Monday in Beijing amid ongoing efforts to keep lines of communication open and build on recent diplomatic overtures between the two countries.
“The two sides had candid, constructive and fruitful communication on promoting the improvement of Sino-US relations and properly managing differences in accordance with the consensus of the two heads of state meeting in Bali last November,” China’s foreign ministry said in a brief statement on Tuesday.
The statement said China “stated its solemn position on Taiwan and other major issues of principle” and both sides agreed to continue to maintain communication.
The State Department said in a short readout on Monday that the two sides exchanged views on the bilateral relationship, cross-strait issues, channels of communication and other matters. “US officials made clear that the United States would compete vigorously and stand up for US interests and values,” it said.
