China's Washington embassy said the nation’s top diplomat Wang Yi had "candid, in-depth, substantive and constructive discussions” with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan.

It said the talks were “on removing obstacles in China-US relations and stabilising the relationship from deterioration".

A senior US official said on Thursday that President Joe Biden's national security adviser met Wang this week and that both sides recognised the need to move beyond an alleged spy balloon incident that caused a pause in relations between the superpowers.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken had cancelled a planned trip to Beijing in February after the US shot down a Chinese balloon that flew over sensitive military sites.

Asked what was discussed about the incident, the US official replied: “I think both sides recognised that that unfortunate incident led to a bit of a pause in engagement. We’re seeking now to get beyond that, and reestablish some just standard, normal channel of communications.”

The White House hoped the eight hours of talks in Vienna on Wednesday and Thursday would pave the way for more communications between the world's two biggest economies, the official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity, added.

The Vienna meeting came ahead of an expected visit to Asia by Biden starting with a G7 summit in Japan from May 19 to 21 that is expected to look for closer alignment of the group's approach towards China.

During the talks in Vienna, the two sides also exchanged views on the situation in the Asia-Pacific region, Ukraine and other international and regional issues of common interest, Xinhua news agency reported.

It added that both sides have agreed to continue to make good use of the strategic communication channel. (Reuters/Xinhua)