Chinese FM meets US state secretary in Myanmar

NAY PYI TAW -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with US State Secretary John Kerry on the sidelines of the series of Foreign Ministers Meetings on East Asia cooperation in Myanmar's capital of Nay Pyi Taw Saturday.

Noting that the overall China-US relationship maintains a steady growth, Wang said China is ready to work together with the US to implement the important consensus of leaders of the two countries, and the fruitful results of the sixth round of China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogues, keep the momentum of high-level interactions and dialogue, strive for new progress in practical cooperation in various fields, join hands in dealing with all kinds of hot spot issues around the world and stick to resolving disputes with constructive means so as to ensure that China-US relations will stay on the right track of building a new model of major-country relationship.

Wang Yi stressed that cooperation between China and the US, two major countries in the Asia-Pacific, will have a great impact on regional landscape.

China welcomes the constructive role by the US in the Asia- Pacific affairs and hopes that the US can respect China's legitimate rights and interests in this region, he said.

China and the US should step up cooperation and sound interactions in regional affairs, as it meets the common aspiration of all countries in the region, he stressed.

With regard to the issue of the South China Sea, Wang Yi said that China will resolutely safeguard its sovereignty as well as maritime rights and interests and stay committed to resolving differences with countries concerned through dialogue and consultation.

The situation in the South China Sea is stable, and the freedom of navigation is out of question, he noted.

As many parts of the world are plagued by chaos, China hopes that all parties will hold dear the hard-won stability of the region, uphold objectiveness and equity and play a constructive role.

Secretary Kerry said that the US highly commends the results of the S&EDs and the High-level Consultation on People-to-people and Cultural Exchanges, stands ready to build upon the achievements to enhance strategic mutual trust, promote practical cooperation in a broad range of areas, expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges and maintain close coordination in international affairs.

The US will not take sides on the issue of the South China Sea, he promised, saying that what it hopes is peace and stability of the region.

The two sides also exchanged views on issues concerning Ukraine and the conflict between Palestine and Israel.