Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday called on Beijing and Washington to "work together for world peace and prosperity" in a phone call with US Secretary of state Marco Rubio.

A Xinhua news agency report also cited Wang as saying that the two sides should cooperate in tackling global challenges and shoulder their due responsibilities as major countries.

Wang also told Rubio that recent "negative words and deeds" from the US had undermined China's legitimate rights and interests and had interfered in China's internal affairs.

He urged the United States to exercise caution in its words and actions, especially on issues concerning China's core interests such as Taiwan.

Xinhua said both sides believed that the call was timely, necessary and fruitful, and stressed the need to properly manage differences, explore practical cooperation, and promote the stable development of bilateral relations.

Defense Minister Admiral Dong Jun also held a video call with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Xinhua said Dong had urged Hegseth to maintain communication and an open attitude, and to foster stable and positive military ties based on "equal respect, peaceful coexistence, and mutual respect."

The defence chief was also quoted as saying that China was committed to working with regional countries to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, and opposes "the infringement and provocation of certain countries and the deliberate incitement of countries not in the region."

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the two held their "candid and constructive" call on Tuesday.

"Secretary Hegseth made clear that the United States does not seek conflict with China nor is it pursuing regime change or strangulation of the PRC (People's Republic of China)," he said.

"At the same time, however, he forthrightly relayed that the US has vital interests in the Asia-Pacific, the priority theatre, and will resolutely protect those interests."

Parnell said the two agreed to additional discussions. (Xinhua/ Reuters)