Mutual respect urged in China-US ties

An official with the Chinese delegation told reporters on the sidelines that the US attacks at the opening of the dialogue mark an attempt to spur conflict, and this is "not in line with diplomatic etiquette and protocols".

Responding to the US invitation, the Chinese delegation traveled to Anchorage with sincerity and finished preparations for the dialogue in accordance with the procedures and arrangements that were agreed in advance by the two sides, the unnamed official said.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said it was the US side that picked the fight, leading to the dramatic exchange of strong words at the opening of the dialogue, which Beijing did not expect in the first place.

"We hope that the US side can move toward the same goal with China, honor the spirit of the phone conversation (last month) between the two heads of state, focus on cooperation, manage and control differences, and promote the healthy and stable development of China-US relations," Zhao said at a daily news conference in Beijing on Friday.