'China-US relations facing new difficulties'
Foreign Minister Qin Gang told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday that relations between the two countries were facing "new difficulties and challenges", Beijing said. "Since the beginning of the year, Sino-American relations have faced new difficulties and challenges. It's clear who is responsible," Qin said, according to a Foreign Ministry readout of a phone call between the two diplomats. Qin also told Blinken during the call that the US should stop interfering in the nation's affairs, state media reported. The Foreign Minister said the US should also respect China's core concerns, according to broadcaster CCTV.  Blinken is due in Beijing on Sunday for talks after a previous planned visit was cancelled in February. (AFP/Reuters)