China and the US should ‘meet each other halfway’ to solve disputes: Wang Yi

China and the US should “meet each other halfway” to solve disputes via dialogue instead of exerting pressure, Beijing’s top diplomat Wang Yi told his American counterpart in a phone call on Monday.

“Healthy, stable and sustainable” Sino-American relations not only benefit both countries but are widely expected by the global community, Wang told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to Xinhua.

Their phone call took place after the two countries agreed on a framework deal to extend their trade truce and before a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in South Korea on Thursday.

“President Xi Jinping and President Trump are world-class leaders,” Wang reportedly told Rubio. “They have maintained long-term engagement and established mutual respect, which have been the most precious assets for China-US relations.”

During their trade talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the two sides “clarified their positions, improved understanding and reached a framework consensus on reciprocal solutions to the pressing economic and trade issues”, the Chinese foreign minister said.

As long as the US and China seek to solve disputes through dialogue instead of resorting to pressure as well as uphold equality, respect and mutual benefit, the Sino-American relationship could be stabilised and move forward, Wang added.