Washington/Beijing: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is currently visiting China, on Sunday met People’s Republic of China (PRC) State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang in Beijing.

During the meeting, Blinken emphasized the importance of diplomacy and maintaining open channels of communication across the full range of issues to reduce the risk of misperception and miscalculation.

"The Secretary raised a number of issues of concern, as well as opportunities to explore cooperation on shared transnational issues with the PRC where our interests align," the US State Department said in a statement.

"The Secretary made clear that the United States will always stand up for the interests and values of the American people and work with its allies and partners to advance our vision for a world that is free, open, and upholds the international rules-based order," read the statement.

"The Secretary and State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin also noted the importance of facilitating exchanges between the people of the United States and the PRC," read the statement.

The Secretary of State invited State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin to Washington to continue the discussions, and they agreed to schedule a reciprocal visit 'at a mutually suitable time'.

The American top leader is visiting China amid months of inflamed tensions between the world’s two largest economies.

This is the first visit by an American diplomat to China in almost five years.