U.S. Treasury chief Yellen appeals to China for cooperation on climate and other global challenges

In a meeting with her Chinese counterpart, Vice Premier He Lifeng, Ms. Yellen defended U.S. restrictions on technology exports that rankle Beijing.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen appealed to China on Saturday for cooperation on climate change and other global challenges and not to let disagreements about trade and other irritants derail relations.

In a meeting with her Chinese counterpart, Vice Premier He Lifeng, Ms. Yellen defended U.S. restrictions on technology exports that rankle Beijing. She said the two governments shouldn’t let such disagreements disrupt thriving economic and financial relations.

″We also face important global challenges, such as debt distress in emerging markets and developing countries and climate change,” Ms. Yellen said. “We have a duty to both our own economies and to other countries to cooperate.”

Ms. Yellen is one of a series of U.S. officials who are due to visit Beijing as part of efforts to revive relations that are at their lowest level in decades due to disputes over technology, security, and Taiwan among other issues.

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Ms. Yellen has received a warm welcome from leaders including Premier Li Qiang, the No. 2 figure in the ruling Communist Party, though they gave no sign they will change policies that irk Washington and other governments.

Treasury officials said the goal of the trip was to encourage communication and no agreements on big disputes were expected. They said Ms. Yellen wasn't scheduled to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping.