U.S. remains committed to one-China policy, Tillerson says

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Thursday that the United States remains committed to the one-China policy.

Tillerson made the remarks when meeting with visiting Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi to discuss bilateral ties and issues of mutual concern.

For his part, Yang made clear China's stance on issues like Taiwan, requesting the U.S. side take seriously China's concerns.

Yang noted that the sound development of bilateral relations is in line with the fundamental interests of the two peoples and the common aspirations of the international society.

He said he hopes the U.S. side could meet China halfway to secure a stable and healthy development of bilateral ties in the long run.

Some politicians of the U.S. executive and legislative branches have become increasingly interested in playing the Taiwan card in dealing with the U.S.-China relations.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed two Taiwan-related bills in January. The Taiwan Travel Act aims to encourage high-level visit exchange between the United States and Taiwan, while the bill H.R. 3320 will help Taiwan restore observer status in the Geneva-based World Health Organization.

The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations passed the Taiwan Travel Act on Wednesday, and the bill will now move on to the floor of the Senate.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Jan. 11 that the United States should handle the Taiwan issue carefully, noting "the passage of the two bills seriously violates the principles of the one-China policy and three Sino-U.S. joint communiques."

He urged the U.S. side not to send any wrong messages to "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces.

Yang is visiting Washington at the invitation of Tillerson, who said before their meeting that he and Yang had "made many good discussions."

Read more:

Chinese state councilor urges int'l support for inter-Korean rapport

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi urged international support for inter-Korean rapport and continued easing of tensions on the Korean Peninsula during his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Thursday.

China, U.S. should make good use of four dialogue mechanisms: Chinese state councilor

China and the United States should keep close contact and make good use of the established four high-level dialogue mechanisms to further promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation, said visiting Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi on Thursday.

Chinese state councilor says China, U.S. can address trade issue through opening markets

Visiting Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi said Thursday that China and the United States could address their bilateral trade issues through more open markets and "making a bigger cake of cooperation."