Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized Thursday that the United States has reaffirmed its commitment to the "one-China policy," amid growing tensions between Beijing and Taiwan.

After bilateral talks with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Bangkok, Wang told reporters that they also discussed issues related to the Korean Peninsula, although the Chinese foreign minister did not refer to North Korea's recent launches of projectiles.

"No matter how many problems there are, it is important for the two sides to sit down and have face-to-face dialogue," Wang said.

He and Pompeo met one day after Beijing said it will suspend independent travel to Taiwan by mainland Chinese tourists from Thursday, citing the current state of relations with the self-governed island.

(File photo shows U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.)
[Getty/Kyodo]

Taiwan and mainland China have been governed separately since they split following a civil war in 1949. Beijing has since then endeavored to undermine Taipei's quest for international recognition.

China has stepped up such efforts, particularly since President Tsai Ing-wen -- who belongs to the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party -- came to power in Taiwan in May 2016.

The government of U.S. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has bolstered already close ties with Taiwan, which China considers a renegade province awaiting reunification.

In Hong Kong, mass protests continue, with citizens in the special administrative region calling for a withdrawal of a controversial extradition bill that would allow the transfer of fugitives to mainland China.

China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying on Tuesday claimed the protests are "the work of the U.S." and criticized recent meetings that U.S. officials, including Pompeo, have had with Hong Kong opposition figures as "interference."

Wang said Pompeo "reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the one-China policy" under which Beijing defines Taiwan and Hong Kong as part of its territory.

As for denuclearization of North Korea, Wang quoted Pompeo as saying Washington is "ready" to restart working-level negotiations with Pyongyang anytime soon. The Chinese foreign minister welcomed the U.S. stance.

Wang also said he exchanged views with Pompeo about "how to further advance the China-U.S. relationship defined by cooperation and stability."

At their two-day ministerial-level trade talks in Shanghai through Wednesday, Washington and Beijing agreed that they will hold their next meeting in September in the United States.

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