The virtual meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden helped navigate China-US relations at a critical moment, foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Tuesday.

(Photo: VCG)

“If the relations between China and the US can’t go back to the past, then the two countries should look ahead to the future,” said Zhao at a routine press briefing. “China has no illusions, but is confident in maintaining composure. China is open to all options that are conducive to China-US relations.”

The spokesperson stressed that China plays by the rules which can be summed up by the three principles outlined by President Xi during the meeting -- mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.

“ The China-US relationship is at a critical crossroads,” said Zhao. “China hopes to meet the US halfway, put the spirit of the meeting between the two leaders into action, maintain dialogue and communication, strengthen exchanges and cooperation, manage differences responsibly, and bring China-US relations back to the track of sound and stable development.”

Zhao also noted that President Xi made China’s position on the Taiwan question clear during the meeting.

“The US should abide by the formal agreements between China and the US, and the resolutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly with an overwhelming majority,” he said.

“The US should face the facts and the will of the majority countries’ endorsement of the one-China principle,” Zhao said. “It should earn the trust of the Chinese people and the international community with action.”

(Compiled by Feng Zhenglin)