“While we have areas of disagreement and will report them directly, we must not allow misunderstandings, particularly those resulting from miscommunication, to unnecessarily worsen our bilateral economic and financial relationship,” Yellen said at the start of the meeting.
Liu noted that both countries need “serious communication” and coordination on issues such as climate change and the economy, and he was willing to in-depth exchange.
“We believe that we should always keep the big picture in mind, try to manage our differences properly and seek common ground,” Liu said, speaking through an interpreter. “In this way, hopefully we can work together to maintain the overall stability of Sino-US relations.”
US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to increase communication when they met in Indonesia in November.
“Both parties agreed that it is important to the functioning of the world economy to continue to improve communication around macroeconomic and financial issues,” the Treasury said after the meeting.
“Secretary Yellen also raised issues of interest in a frank exchange of views,” he added. “She is looking forward to traveling to China and hosting her counterparts in the United States in the near future.”
