China, US discuss bilateral ties, Afghanistan

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi and US State Secretary Rex Tillerson on telephone discussed on China-US relations and the Afghanistan issue.

''China and the US have been maintaining communication and cooperation in a wide range of areas, which is in the interests of both countries and the world at large," Yang said.

He further said, "In accordance with the important consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Trump, the two countries should strengthen high-level exchanges as well as those at various levels and make good preparations for Trump's visit to China within this year, which is at Xi's invitation."

For mutual respect and benefit, Yang uttered hope that China and US will expand cooperation and properly settle differences so as to keep up good thrust for the development of two nation's relations, Xinhua reported.

Tillerson, on his part, said that the US side is keen to work with the Chinese side to execute the important agreement reached by the two heads of state and promote communication and the cooperation.

President Trump is looking forward to his visit to China within the year, Tillerson added, and expressed hope for intensive efforts to make visit successful.

Yang and Tillerson also exchanged their views on the current situation of Afghanistan.

"China is committed to facilitating Afghanistan's peace and reconciliation process and political dialogue is the only solution to the Afghanistan issue," Yang said.

He also said that the international community needs to support Afghanistan in achieving a broad and complete political understanding, support the Afghan people in achieving a development path that suits their own national conditions and support the government in growing its potential to fight forces of extremism and terrorism, Xinhua reported.

Yang also asserted that both the nations needs to give attention to the vital role Pakistan plays in the Afghanistan issue, and respect Pakistan's sovereignty and security concerns.

"China stands ready to keep communication and coordination with the United States on the Afghanistan issue and make joint efforts to realize peace and stability in the country and the whole region," he said.