US President Donald Trump has fired his Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson. CIA Director Mike Pompeo is being tapped to take on the job of America's top diplomat. China says it's willing to cooperate with the new US secretary of state to further improve bilateral ties.  

LU KANG, SPOKESPERSON CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY "We are willing to make joint efforts with the new secretary of state on the basis of important agreements reached by the leaders of the two countries. We will respect each other, gain mutual benefits, and focus on cooperation and controlling our divergences. In doing that, we hope our relationship can develop in a healthy and stable way. Enhancing our bilateral relations not only lives up to the interests of the people from both sides, but it's also what the international community expects."

Tillerson is the biggest name to leave the cabinet since Trump took office. The US president reportedly asked Tillerson to resign last Friday. Trump and Tillerson have not seen eye-to-eye on a range of issues, including the Iran nuclear deal, the Gulf crisis, and the DPRK. Earlier Mike Pompeo said China has the capacity to become America's greatest rival over the medium and long term.