Senior Chinese and US officials held back-to-back talks this week, laying the groundwork for a potential meeting between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump, reported Bloomberg.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun that Washington does not seek confrontation or regime change in Beijing, according to a Pentagon statement. The call marked Dong's first direct contact with Mr Hegseth.

China's Defense Ministry said Admiral Dong urged a stable and open relationship, but warned that any effort to support Taiwan's independence would be unsuccessful. The exchange underscored tensions over the self-ruled island.

Hours later, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Rubio, who was sanctioned twice by Beijing before assuming office, stressed the need for "open and constructive communication" across a range of bilateral issues, according to the US read out.