China, US need to have 'comprehensive' dialogue: Chinese foreign minister

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Thursday that China and the US need to have a "comprehensive" dialogue as he began a visit to Washington.

Speaking ahead of his meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Wang said via translation that the two nations have disagreements but at the same time share "important common interests and we face challenges that we need to respond to together.”

"Not only should we resume dialogue, the dialogue should be in-depth and comprehensive, so that with dialogue we can increase mutual understanding, reduce misunderstanding and misjudgment," said the Chinese diplomat.

He stressed that cooperation should be pursued to benefit both sides so that China and the US can stabilize relations, adding that dialogue would help reduce misunderstandings and stabilize the relationship and "return it to the track of healthy, stable and sustainable development."

"In China-US relations, from time to time there will be some jarring voices. When it happens, China treats it calmly," he added.

Blinken, for his part, said he looks forward to constructive conversations with his Chinese counterpart over the next two days.