Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday, seeking to maintain rocky relations despite disputes over economic, national security and geopolitical tensions in East Asia, the Middle East and Ukraine. We had a meeting.
China and the United States have both said they look forward to progress on some smaller, pragmatic fronts, such as improved communications, but also trade policy and territorial disputes over the South China Sea and Taiwan. remains at an impasse on fundamental strategic issues. . Both sides recognize the risk of the relationship descending into further conflict.
The Biden administration is deeply concerned that cheap Chinese exports threaten American jobs and is also concerned about China's support for Russia in the Ukraine war. And China accused the United States of plotting to encircle China's interests in the Pacific.
Earlier in the day, Blinken spent more than five hours meeting and having a working lunch with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Diaoyutai Guest House in Beijing.
In his remarks, Mr. Wang took a slightly more conciliatory tone, telling Mr. Blinken that “China-U.S. relations are beginning to stabilize,” and that their future depends on decisions made by both countries. During Mr Blinken's visit last year, Mr Wang laid the blame for the deterioration of relations with the US and said there was a need to “reflect”.
But Wang also warned on Friday that negative factors in the relationship were still “increasing and building.”
“The relationship is facing all kinds of turmoil,” Wang said on Friday. “China's legitimate development rights are being unduly suppressed, and our core interests are facing difficulties.”
“I hope that we can make some progress on the issues that the presidents of both countries have agreed to cooperate on, but I also hope that we can clarify our differences and intentions and clarify each other's positions,” Blinken said. “I am doing it,” he replied.
Among other goals, U.S. officials want to reassure China that progress is being made in stopping the flow of chemicals used to make fentanyl into the United States and that communication between the countries' militaries will be improved to avoid accidents and misunderstandings. is requested to be strengthened. Chinese officials said they would press the United States to further promote cultural exchanges between the two countries and stop interrogating Chinese students at the border.
In recent weeks, U.S. officials have begun to express more urgent concerns about China's economic aid to Russia. China denies providing weapons to Russia's war effort, which Washington says is a red line, but U.S. officials say China can still use them for civilian or military purposes. It claims to be supporting Russia's defense industry by selling parts.
