The U.S. should respect China's position on the Taiwan question, stop interfering in China's internal affairs and stop undermining China's sovereignty, security and development interests in the name of competition, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang said on Wednesday.

Qin made the remarks in a phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during which Qin expounded on China's solemn positions on the Taiwan question and other core concerns.

China-U.S. relations have encountered new difficulties and challenges since the beginning of the year, Qin said, adding the responsibilities are clear and China has always been handling China-U.S. relations in accordance with the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.

It's hoped that the U.S. side will take concrete actions to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state in Bali, Indonesia last November and other commitments made by the U.S. side, Qin noted.

He also expressed hope that the U.S. can work with China to effectively manage differences, and promote exchanges and cooperation, so as to bring the China-U.S. relationship back to the track of sound and steady development.

(Cover: The Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taipei, southeast China's Taiwan. /CFP)