China and the United States should create a suitable environment for high-level exchanges between the two countries, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at a press conference in Beijing on Sunday.

Wang highlighted the role that the heads of state of the two countries have played in China-U.S. relations in response to a media inquiry.

"It is heartening to see that the presidents of the two countries have led by example. By maintaining good interactions at the top level, they have provided important strategic safeguard for the China-U.S. relationship to improve and move forward, and they have brought the relationship back on an even keel after the ups and downs. This year is a 'big year' for China-U.S. relations. The agenda of high-level exchanges is already on the table. What the two sides need to do now is to make thorough preparations accordingly, create a suitable environment, manage the risks that do exist, and remove unnecessary disruptions," he said.

"China is always committed and open. It is critical that the U.S. side work in the same direction. I believe that when the two sides treat each other with sincerity and good faith, we will be able to lengthen the list of cooperation, and shorten the list of problems; we will be able to, under the strategic guidance of the two presidents, produce results that are satisfactory to both peoples, achieve consensus that is welcomed by the whole world, and make 2026 a landmark year of sound, steady and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations," the foreign minister said.

Wang answered questions of journalists from home and abroad on China's foreign policy and external relations at the press conference on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC).

The 14th NPC, China's top legislature, is holding its annual session from Thursday through March 12.