China FM Qin Gang tells Blinken relationship with US facing 'new difficulties': ministry

China's foreign minister Qin Gang told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday that relations between the two countries were facing "new difficulties and challenges", Beijing said.

"Since the beginning of the year, Sino-American relations have faced new difficulties and challenges. It's clear who is responsible," Qin Gang said, according to a Chinese foreign ministry readout of a phone call between the two diplomats.