US and China remain at odds as Blinken finishes first day of talks in Beijing

Mr Blinken, the highest-level American official to visit China since US president Joe Biden took office, will have more senior level contacts with Chinese counterparts on Monday, including potentially with Chinese leader Xi Jinping

US secretary of state Antony Blinken, centre, secured a visit to Washington by Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang (Leah Millis/Pool Photo via AP)

The United States and China have failed to overcome their most serious disagreements but were able to discuss them in a potentially constructive way and have agreed to continue talks, US officials have said.

The officials said US secretary of state Antony Blinken was able, during a nearly six-hour meeting, to secure a visit to Washington by Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang. But they said progress on other issues remained a work in progress.