"Since the beginning of the year, China-US relations have encountered new difficulties and challenges, and responsibilities are clear," Mr. Qin told Mr. Blinken in a phone call, according to Reuters citing a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Mr. Qin added that the US should "stop interfering in China's internal affairs and stop harming China's sovereignty , security and development interests in the name of competition."
Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang (left) and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken
Meanwhile, according to a statement posted on the US State Department website, during the call with Mr. Qin, Mr. Blinken discussed the importance of maintaining open lines of communication to responsibly manage the US-China relationship to avoid miscalculation and conflict, and to address a range of bilateral and global issues. Mr. Blinken also made it clear that the US will continue to use diplomatic engagement to raise issues of concern as well as potential areas of cooperation.
Secretary of State Blinken: US diplomacy slows down plans to increase Chinese military and intelligence presence abroad
The call took place after a US official said on June 10 that Secretary of State Blinken is expected to visit China on June 18. If it happens, this will be the first visit to China by a US secretary of state in five years and the highest-level visit by an official from President Joe Biden's administration, according to Reuters.
Previously, Mr. Blinken canceled a planned visit to Beijing in February because a Chinese balloon that Washington suspected was carrying spy equipment flew over the US.
In another development, the US House Ways and Means Committee on June 13 unanimously passed a bill affirming its support for the initial agreement reached under the US-Taiwan Initiative for 21st Century Trade, according to CNA. Earlier on June 1, Taiwan and the US signed the first agreement under the initiative, covering customs and border procedures, regulatory practices and small businesses to facilitate trade and investment between the two sides.
Meanwhile, Taiwan's Foreign Minister Wu Zhao-hye stressed today that Taiwan wants to ensure peace and stability by maintaining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, but maintaining that status quo will require support from European countries, Reuters quoted Wu as saying at a conference in the Czech Republic.
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