ISTANBUL

Chinese officials raised the issue of sanctions and other trade restrictions Saturday during a meeting with visiting US Treasury chief Janet Yellen.

Vice Premier He Lifeng expressed concerns about Washington's restrictive steps while the two sides emphasized implementing the significant consensus reached during a meeting in Indonesia last November between their respective presidents.

"Expanding the scope of national security does not facilitate regular economic and trade exchanges," Lifeng told Yellen, according to the Chinese newspaper, Global Times.

Both sides concurred on the need to enhance communication and cooperation to tackle global challenges while reiterating their dedication to maintaining ongoing exchanges and interactions.

Yellen also met Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday.

“I ... emphasized the importance of the world’s two largest economies working together on global challenges like climate change and debt distress,” Yellen wrote on Twitter after the meeting.

Relations between Washington and Beijing have soured in recent years because of several issues including Taiwan, trade in tech sectors and a suspected Chinese spy balloon above US territory.

Yellen landed Thursday in Beijing on her first trip to the US power rival and is expected to stay until Sunday.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Beijing last month where he met President Xi Jinping.