China says that while President Hu Jintao will hold bilateral meetings during a G-20 summit in Washington next week, a possible meeting with U.S. President-elect Barack Obama is still in the works.
Deputy Foreign Minister He Yafei told reporters in Beijing Thursday that the two sides are taking steps to arrange a meeting.
World leaders are to discuss a response to the global financial crisis at the Washington summit for the Group of 20 industrialized and emerging countries on November 15.
Meanwhile, China's Foreign Ministry urged Mr. Obama to properly handle the issue of Taiwan when he steps into office. Spokesman Qin Gang called on the president-elect to oppose Taiwan independence and halt arms sales to the island.
The spokesman added that U.S. handling of Taiwan is key to good relations between Beijing.
China and Taiwan split in 1949 during a civil war, and Beijing has threatened to use military force if Taipei formally declares independence.
China has hundreds of missiles aimed at Taiwan and claims the self-ruled island is part of its own territory.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
