China urged the US to properly manage differences based on mutual respect and to expand cooperation with China on the basis of mutual benefits, China's top diplomat, Yang Jiechi, said on Monday during a meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Beijing.

Yang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, said that China-US relations stand now at a critical juncture and face many challenges. 

China has lodged solemn representations on the recent series of negative words and deeds of the US and publicly stated its principled position. He urged the US to immediately correct its mistakes and stop taking actions that damage China's interests. China will continue to take necessary measures to resolutely defend the sovereignty of the country and firmly safeguard security and development interests, he said.

Yang said he hoped that the US will make the right choice, meet China half way, implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, and properly manage differences based on mutual respect, expand cooperation with China on the basis of mutual benefit, and ensure that China-US relations go along correctly. 

Yang reiterated China's principled position on China-US trade ties, Taiwan and the South China Sea.

Pompeo said that the US is committed to achieving win-win cooperation with China. The US is willing to strengthen communication with China and work together to find a constructive solution to the current challenges facing the two countries. The US adheres to the one-China policy and hopes to continue to maintain communication and coordination with China on international and regional issues.

The two sides also exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula.