Top Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi's meeting with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Zurich, Switzerland, indicates that Sino-U.S. ties have entered into a stage of adjustment and alleviating tensions, according to a leading Chinese expert on Sino-U.S. relations.

The meeting on Wednesday was marked by a fairly cordial atmosphere and an attempt by the U.S. side to reach out and resolve issues, said Li Yonghui, a professor at the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at Beijing Foreign Studies University. 

"The U.S. side has found that its previous tough policies, including its trade war with China, failed to generate the results it wanted. So it is seeking to ease tensions with China," said Li, adding "the Chinese side has consistently stressed that the two countries need to cooperate to achieve mutually beneficial results."

"In U.S. President Joe Biden's speech at the UN General Assembly in September, he said the U.S. was not seeking a new Cold War. It may have been just a diplomatic gesture, and he will not fundamentally change his position on major issues, but his words will help create a better atmosphere," Li continued.

A consensus was also reached in Zurich on the need to properly manage and control differences on issues to maintain strategic stability of bilateral ties.

"As two major countries, their relations are not just about themselves, but about the peace and development in the whole world," said Li. "It's important for them to prevent the divergence from getting out of control and causing a crisis. I think this was an important issue they addressed at the meeting."

Li warned however that this easing of tensions won't fundamentally change America's view of China as a strategic competitor.

Since Biden took office, China and the U.S. have tried to maintain talks at a high level in a bid to salvage bilateral ties that have been deteriorating since the Trump administration.

In March, Yang Jiechi met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Anchorage, Alaska, although the meeting was marred by strong words from both sides. In late July, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman in Tianjin.