BEIJING - China welcomes the United States' rebalancing to the Asia-Pacific, but Washington should also respect Beijing's interests and concerns here, said Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Saturday morning.

"The US should handle Taiwan and other sensitive issues properly," he told reporters during a briefing held amid China's national legislature session.

Asia-Pacific affairs should also be handled by all countries in this region through consultation, said Mr Yang, as he urged Washington to work with Beijing on this front, as part of efforts by both sides to build "a new type of relationship between major countries".

"As times are changing, we should transcend ideological differences, discard old concepts and respect each others' interests," he added.