US, China Should Be Partners, Not Rivals: Xi Jinping

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday told top US diplomat Antony Blinken that the world's two biggest economies should be partners, not rivals, but that there were a number of issues to be resolved in their relations.

Blinken, in China for the second time in less than a year, met leading Chinese politicians in the capital Beijing, where US officials said he would directly raise crucial areas of difference including Russia, Taiwan and trade.

Meeting Blinken in Beijing's Great Hall of the People, Xi said the two countries had made some positive progress since he met with US President Joe Biden last year, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

The two countries should be partners, not rivals, Xi said.

There are still a number of issues that need to be resolved, and there is still room for further efforts, the Chinese leader added.

We hope the US can also take a positive view of China's development, he added.

When this fundamental problem is solved... relations can truly stabilise, get better, and move forward.

Earlier China's foreign minister Wang Yi warned Blinken that US pressure could trigger a downward spiral, as the visiting diplomat raised concerns on issues including support for Russia.

Wang also warned that the question of self-ruled Taiwan was the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations.

Blinken described his talks with Wang at the Diaoyutai state guesthouse -- which lasted more than five and a half hours -- extensive and constructive.

The top US diplomat will speak to journalists later on Friday at the American embassy in Beijing._AFP