Washington: A "candid, substantive, and productive discussion" took place between the top American diplomat for east Asia and the Pacific on Monday in Washington, according to the US State Department.

US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel J. Kritenbrink and Sarah Beran, Senior Director for China and Taiwan Affairs at the National Security Council, hosted Yang Tao, the director general of the Chinese Foreign Ministry's North American and Oceanian Affairs Department, at the State Department's headquarters.

Early in June, a few weeks before Secretary of State Antony Blinken's high-profile visit, the two senior US officials had a meeting with Yang in China.

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In an effort to improve relations, top Chinese officials met with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and John Kerry during recent trips to Beijing.

Also announcing her intention to travel soon is US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.
In a statement released on Monday, the State Department stated that the "two sides held a candid, substantive, and productive discussion as part of ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication and responsibly manage the bilateral relationship."

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"The two sides also exchanged views on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues, including Russia's war against Ukraine and cross-Strait issues," it was added.

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The meeting takes place less than a week after China's foreign minister Qin Gang was fired from his position and just days after Washington announced a $345 million military aid package for Taiwan.

Taiwan is a democratic, independent nation that China claims as part of its territory and has vowed to annex, using force if necessary.