"Currently, China-US relations are at their lowest point since the establishment of diplomatic ties, which is contrary to the fundamental interests of the peoples of both countries and does not meet the aspirations of the international community," Qin was quoted as saying by China Central Television after a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Beijing.
According to US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, Blinken and his Chinese counterpart held substantive and constructive talks in Beijing. During the negotiations the US official told Qin that the US would protect the interests and values of the American people and invited him to pay a reciprocal visit to Washington.
On June 18, the US top diplomat embarked on his two-day visit to China to hold a series of meetings with the country's senior officials in a bid to recommence the bilateral dialogue that was in many respects put on hold following the spy balloon incident.