China-US talks – positive tone despite tensions

US Secretary of State

“We are working hard to make the relationship as good as possible,” said Daniel Crittenbrink.

(Photo: Reuters)

Beijing The US says it is getting “tough” on bilateral relations with China amid heightened tensions. “We are working hard to make the relationship as good as possible,” US Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Crittenbrink said after meeting with Undersecretary of State Ma Zhaoxu in Beijing on Monday.

“Both sides have engaged in open, constructive and effective communication to improve Sino-US relations and appropriately handle differences,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said. The US and China described the talks as constructive and agreed to keep lines of communication open.

Relations between the US and China are at rock bottom. The two powers are deeply divided over issues such as the sovereignty of democratically-ruled Taiwan and disputes in the South China Sea. The United States and Western industrialized nations are looking for ways to ease ties with the People’s Republic and at the same time diversify economic dependence.

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