US calls for release of Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo

Detained on Dec. 8, 2008, Liu Xiaobo was convicted of subversion in 2009 and sentenced to 11 years in prison for penning an appeal for democracy.

He was awarded the peace prize in 2010.

Deeply embarrassed, China's government angrily denounced the award and suspended much of its economic and diplomatic contact with Norway, where the prize is awarded.

Kerry's statement underscored a desire by the U.S. to be seen as active on Chinese human rights in the face of critics who say the issue is being downgraded because of Washington's desire for strong trade ties and Chinese support on knotty diplomatic issues such as the conflict in Syria and Iran's nuclear programs.

Hong noted that “China and the U.S. are working to build a great-power relationship.”

“We hope that the U.S. can give priority to the bilateral relationship and contribute more to the mutual trust between the two countries,” Hong said.