Statements from Washington and Beijing on meetings between Daniel Kritenbrink, assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and Chinese officials including Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu were positive, describing the talks as candid and productive. But critics have questioned U.S. overtures to China, arguing that past decades of engagement have failed to change Beijing's behaviour. "We're working hard to manage the relationship as best as we possibly can," said Kritenbrink, when asked by reporters in Beijing on Tuesday about the current state of bilateral ties. Asked if Blinken would visit China soon, Kritenbrink said: "We'll see, I have nothing to announce." Reporting by Ryan Woo and Ella Cao; Editing by Kim Coghill and Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Persons: Daniel Kritenbrink, Ma Zhaoxu, Kritenbrink, Lloyd Austin, Joe Biden's, Antony Blinken, Washington, Blinken, Biden, Xi Jinping, Ryan Woo, Ella Cao, Kim Coghill, Michael Perry Organizations: U.S, East Asian, Pacific Affairs, Foreign, U.S ., . Defense, U.S . State Department, ., Global Times, Economic Cooperation, APEC, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China, Beijing, Washington, U.S, Chinese, Taiwan, South China, United States, Asia, San Francisco