By DIDI TANG and MATTHEW LEE Associated Press
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WASHINGTON — China’s top diplomat said Thursday that dialogue between Beijing and Washington should not only be resumed but deepened, comments that raise hopes the relationship between the world’s two largest economies can be steadied in the midst of potentially world-changing conflicts in the Middle East and Europe.

Wang Yi, the Chinese foreign minister, spoke at the beginning of a three-day visit to Washington, during which he is meeting with high-level U.S. officials, including possibly President Joe Biden, at a time both countries are eager to stem any further decline in their ties.

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“The China and U.S. sides need dialogue. We should resume dialogue, and what we need more is to deepen our dialogue, and have all-around dialogue,” Wang said before going into a closed-door meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken. “Through dialogue, we will increase understanding and reduce misunderstanding and misjudgment.”

With Blinken looking on, Wang said China will seek consensus and cooperation to “push the relationship as soon as possible back to the track of healthy, stable and sustainable development.”

Blinken and Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, are expected to press Wang on the importance of China stepping up its role on the world stage if it wants to be considered a responsible major international player.

The U.S. has been disappointed with China over its support for Russia in the war against Ukraine and its relative silence on the war between Israel and Hamas. In addition, Beijing and Washington are at odds on issues such as human rights, climate change, Taiwan, the South China Sea and North Korea.