Yang Jiechi speaks with Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato' Saifuddin Abdullah (not pictured) during a meeting in Beijing. File/Reuters

Gulf Today Report

Top Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi called on Tuesday for China and the United States to restore their relationship to a predictable and constructive track of development as China’s top foreign policy adviser is urging closer ties with the US under the Biden administration.

The head of the ruling Communist Party’s office on foreign affairs, Yang Jiechi, said Washington must "effectively respect China’s position and concerns on the Taiwan issue.”

This photo shows the flags of the United States of America and the People's Republic of China. File photo

He said the sides will have their differences but should not allow them to derail relations.

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In remarks Tuesday to the influential US National Committee on United States-China Relations, Yang continued the positive tone China is taking toward the new US administration following heightened tensions under former President Donald Trump. Ties sunk to a new low over differences on trade, human rights and Taiwan, the self-governing democracy that China claims as its own territory and threatens to bring under its control by military force.

"China and the United States are two large countries with different histories, cultures and systems, and thus have differences on some issues. It is crucial to properly control them and not allow them to interfere with the overall development of bilateral relations," Yang said in the videotaped conversation.

Yang, the highest ranking Chinese leader to speak on China-US relations since the Biden administration took office, spoke at an online forum organised by the National Committee on US-China Relations on Tuesday morning Beijing time, Monday night Eastern Standard Time.