Senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken not to "send wrong signals" to Taiwan pro-independence forces, China's foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
Both men also spoke about the virtual meeting that Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden would hold on Monday, Reuters said.
The White House said that Washington hopes the talks will create some stability amid increased tensions between the world's two largest economies.
It is expected to be the leaders' most extensive meeting under the Biden administration and will follow on from a telephone call between the two on Sept. 9.
Washington and Beijing have been sparring on issues from the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic to China's expanding nuclear arsenal.
US officials believe direct engagement with Xi is the best way to prevent ties spiraling toward conflict.
"The two leaders will discuss ways to responsibly manage the competition … as well as ways to work together where our interests align," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement. "President Biden will make clear US intentions and priorities and be clear and candid about our concerns."
Beijing is also keen to avoid confrontation as Xi faces a crucial year ahead with China's hosting of the Winter Olympic Games and a key Communist Party Congress where he looks to secure an unprecedented third term.
China's foreign ministry said on Saturday the leaders would exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of common interests in the summit, which will take place on Tuesday morning in Asia.
A senior US official said Biden would make clear he welcomes stiff competition with China, but doesn't want conflict, and played down the likelihood of a long list of outcomes often tied to top-level meetings.
The meeting will come after Biden signs a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure deal in a big ceremony on Monday to celebrate domestic renewal plans he believes will position the United States to out-compete China.
US officials have played down the possibility of progress on trade, where China is lagging in a commitment to buy $200 billion more in US goods and services.
China has nevertheless continued to push for relief from hundreds of billions of dollars of tariffs imposed under former President Donald Trump, arguing this could help both sides by easing inflation and boosting employment.
