US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on a phone call with newly appointed Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang discussed maintaining open lines of communication.
Both officials talk via phone on Sunday to discuss bilateral relations.
In a statement posted on its official website, the minister Qin bid Blinken farewell and recalled their frank, in-depth, and productive talks with Blinken when Qin served as China’s ambassador to the United States.
Qin expressed his enthusiasm for continuing to collaborate closely with the American secretary of state and advancing the development of China-U.S. ties with Blinken.
Blinken on his Twitter wrote, “Spoke by phone this morning with incoming People’s Republic of China Foreign Minister Qin Gang as he departs Washington for his new role. We discussed the U.S.-PRC relationship and maintaining open lines of communication.”
During the call, the parties also exchanged New Year’s greetings.
Earlier on December 30, Chinese official media revealed that Qin Gang, who has led the Chinese Foreign Ministry since 2013, had replaced Wang Yi as Chinese Foreign Minister.
