Top U.S. and Chinese Diplomats Hold Phone Call

Two senior diplomats from the United States and China spoke by phone on Thursday to address matters of shared interest, according to official statements from both countries. The conversation between U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and China’s Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu took place amid signs of easing tensions in the ongoing trade dispute between Washington and Beijing.

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said the two sides "discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest" and emphasized the importance of maintaining open channels of communication. She added that both officials recognized the significance of the bilateral relationship for the people of both nations and for the broader international community.

China’s foreign ministry echoed this sentiment in a statement released Friday, noting that Ma and Landau had “exchanged views on China-U.S. relations and key issues of common concern,” and had agreed to keep up their dialogue.

Neither side disclosed further specifics about the topics discussed during the call.