Wang tells Blinken: Deepened dialogue can establish stable China-US ties

(Patria) - The United States and China have disagreements and need an "in-depth" and "comprehensive" dialogue to reduce misunderstandings and stabilize ties, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday, beginning a long-awaited visit to Washington.

Standing alongside U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Wang said the two countries share important common interests and challenges that they need to tackle together, Reuters reported.

"Therefore, China and the United States must have dialogue. Not only should we continue dialogue, the dialogue should be in-depth and comprehensive," Wang said. The dialogue would help reduce misunderstandings, stabilize relations and "bring them back onto the track of healthy, stable and sustainable development," he said.

Blinken responded: "I agree with what the Foreign Minister said."

Before Wang spoke, Blinken said he looked forward to constructive talks with his Chinese counterpart.

Wang's three-day visit is the latest in a flurry of diplomatic engagements between the two strategic rivals as they seek to manage their differences to avoid conflict. The trip is primarily intended to prepare for an anticipated summit between President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping.

Wang is expected to meet with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Friday. He is also expected to speak with Biden during a White House visit, although it is unclear how significant their interaction will be.

Wang's visit to Washington comes after several top U.S. officials, including Blinken, visited Beijing in recent months.

Analysts expect Wang's talks to focus on preparations for an anticipated meeting between Biden and Xi on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco from November 11-17.