Illustrative image. (Photo: REUTERS)

US-China ties have been tense since the beginning of the year. Secretary of State Antony Blinken canceled his visit to Beijing in February after a Chinese spy balloon entered US airspace.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy last week met with Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen in California, a meeting strongly condemned by China. 

Spokesperson Kirby said the US hopes to put the bilateral relationship back on a better footing.