Washington, Feb 28 (IANS): US President Donald Trump on Monday met visiting Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi at the White House, pledging to enhance bilateral high-level exchanges and cooperation, a media report said.

White House spokesperson Sean Spicer said Yang Jiechi met Trump on Monday, following his meetings with National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, presidential adviser Jared Kushner and Chief Strategist Steve Bannon, Efe news reported.

"It was an opportunity to start a dialogue," said Spicer, adding that Yang and the US officials discussed shared interests in national security.

Trump, in a phone call with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping last month, had also laid the foundation for a future meeting that may take place during the July G20 summit in Germany. 

"China is willing to enhance exchanges with the US at all levels from top down, and expand coordination and cooperation with America on bilateral, regional and global issues, respect each others' core interests and major concerns," the People's Daily quoted Yang as saying.

"Ensuring the steady and healthy development of the China-US ties will surely benefit both peoples and the world as a whole."

Yang on Monday also held separate meetings with senior US officials, including National Security Advisor Herbert Raymond McMaster, to exchange views on how to promote the China-US ties and other issues of mutual concern.