China's President Xi Jinping on Monday met with a number of veteran U.S. diplomats including former American Secretary of State Henry Kissenger at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to assess China-U.S. ties. The meeting between the Chinese leader and the U.S. statesmen comes amid a wrangling dispute between both countries after a U.S. warship sailed within 12 nautical miles of China's island on the Subi Reef about a week ago.

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Kissenger and over a dozen other retired U.S. officials are in Beijing for the fifth China-U.S. Track Two High-Level Dialogue. Although neither President Xi nor Kissenger explicitly mentioned the South China Sea dispute during their meeting, it was evident that the issue was present on their minds.

President Xi, who noted China and the U.S. must handle their disputes properly, called for more "pragmatic cooperation" between both countries and better understanding of "each other's strategic intentions."

Xi explained that the relationship between China and the U.S. faces opportunities and challenges. He advocated for a new mutually beneficial model of relations that frowns on confrontation and conflict while emphasizing cooperation and mutual respect.

On his part, Kissenger said China and the U.S. must downplay their areas of differences and promote dialogue to enhance mutual understanding.

President Xi has not made any comments on the fact that the Obama administration decided to challenge China's territorial claims by patrolling a warship close to Beijing's settlement in the Spratly Islands. Regional experts have noted that the Chinese leadership is under pressure to respond to Washington's move and "save face."

Two days after the U.S. Navy patrolled the USS Lassen warship close to the Subi Reef, the commander of China's Navy Wu Shengli warned the chief of U.S. Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson against the move, which he described as "highly-dangerous" and "provocative."

"It is extremely possible to result in a severe and urgent situation between the frontline naval and air force troops of the two sides and even an unexpected incident," Wu warned.  

Despite China's condemnation of the incident, U.S. officials have vowed to continue the freedom of navigation patrol, which they insist is a "routine operation."

On Tuesday, the new commander of the US Pacific Command Adm. Harry Harris reiterated Washington's stand on the freedom of movement in the South China Sea.

"Our military will continue to fly, sail and operate whenever and wherever international law allows. The South China Sea is not - and will not - be an exception," he said.

Harris, who is visiting Beijing for three days, is scheduled to meet with several high ranking members of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

Experts say while all round cooperation between China and the U.S. continues to develop rapidly, both countries are confounded with various issues which they differ on.

TagsHenry Kissenger President Xi Jinping, China-U.S. relations, U.S. Warship South China Sea, China-U.S. Track Two High-Level Dialogue, Wu Shengli, south china sea news, Adm. Harry Harris