Russia has demanded that NATO pull back troops and weapons from eastern Europe and bar its neighbour Ukraine, a former Soviet state, from ever joining.

Washington and its NATO allies reject that position, but say they are ready to discuss topics such as arms control and confidence-building measures.

One country's security cannot be at the expense of the security of other countries, and regional security cannot be guaranteed by strengthening or even expanding military blocs, Wang told Blinken by telephone.

(Reporting by Ryan Woo; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)