US officials hold talks in Beijing to maintain open communication lines

WASHINGTON, June 5 (KUNA) -- US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink and National Security Council Senior Director for China and Taiwan Affairs Sarah Beran held Monday meetings with Chinese officials in Beijing.
Together with US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, the Assistant Secretary and Senior Director met with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu and Director General of the North American and Oceanian Affairs Department Yang Tao, the US Department of State said in a press statement today.
It added that the two sides had candid and productive discussions as part of ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication and build on recent high-level diplomacy between the two countries.
"The two sides exchanged views on the bilateral relationship, cross-Strait issues, channels of communication, and other matters, "US officials made clear that the United States would compete vigorously and stand up for US interests and values," reads the statement. (end) rsr.mmj.ibi