BEIJING (AP) – U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke Friday with Chinese President Xi Jinping and senior Chinese officials, warning of the risk of misunderstandings and miscalculations as the U.S. and China are at odds on a number of issues. . Contentious bilateral, regional and global issues.
Blinken met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong before meeting with President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Talks between the two sides have increased in recent months, even as their differences have widened.
“We are committed to maintaining and strengthening the lines of communication between our two countries,” Blinken said, so both sides can prevent “any misunderstandings, misunderstandings, miscalculations.”
Previously, Mr. Blinken and Mr. Wang also emphasized the importance of maintaining. communication line open They lamented the persistent and deepening divisions that threaten global security. The tensions were highlighted earlier this week when U.S. President Joe Biden signed a massive foreign aid bill that includes several elements that China views as problematic.
Their comments suggest a long list of differences to discuss, including Taiwan and the South China Sea, trade and human rights, and China’s support for Russia and China. Production and export of synthetic opioid precursors.
“Overall, China-U.S. relations are beginning to stabilize,” Wang told Blinken at the beginning of the roughly five-and-a-half-hour meeting. “But at the same time, the negative factors in the relationship are still increasing and building, and the relationship is facing all kinds of turmoil.”
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks with Chinese Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong at the Diaoyutai Guest House in Beijing, China, Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
“Should China and the United States stick to the right path of moving forward toward stability, or should they return to a downward spiral?” he asked. “This is a serious issue for both countries and a test of our integrity and ability.”
Mr. Wang also outlined some of China’s well-known complaints, although they were not specific. US policy and position regarding the South China SeaTaiwan, human rights, and the right of China to establish relations with countries it sees fit.
“China’s legitimate development rights are being unduly suppressed, and our core interests are facing difficulties,” he said. “China’s concerns are consistent. We always call on the United States to respect each other’s core interests, not to interfere in China’s internal affairs, not to hinder China’s development, and to support China’s sovereignty, security and development interests. I have asked them not to step on the line that should not be crossed.”
In response, Blinken said the Biden administration places emphasis on U.S.-China dialogue, even on disputed issues. He noted that some progress had been made over the past year, but suggested negotiations remained difficult.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) speaks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right) during talks at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing, China, Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
“I hope that this discussion will be very clear and direct on the areas where we disagree and on the U.S. position,” Blinken told Wang. I have no doubt that they will do the same.”
“There is no substitute for face-to-face diplomacy, not only to move forward, but also to at least be as clear as possible on areas of disagreement to avoid misunderstandings. To avoid miscalculations,” he said. Told.
The State Department later announced that Mr. Blinken and Mr. Wang had “deep, substantive and constructive discussions about differences and areas of cooperation,” and confirmed that Mr. Blinken remained steadfast in his position on U.S. concerns. revealed.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement that Blinken “stressed that the United States will continue to protect our interests and values and the interests and values of our allies and partners, including on human rights and economic issues.” .
blinken arrived in China on Wednesday, visited Shanghai just before Biden signed a $95 billion foreign aid package that angered Beijing, including $8 billion to counter China’s growing aggressiveness in Taiwan and the South China Sea. It includes several elements that may lead to He is also trying to force TikTok’s China-based parent company to sell the social media platform.
China and the United States are major players in the Indo-Pacific. The U.S. government has become increasingly alarmed in recent years by Beijing’s increasing aggressiveness toward Taiwan and its smaller Southeast Asian neighbors with which it has significant territorial and maritime disputes. South China Sea.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) speaks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Diaoyutai Guest House in Beijing, China, Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
China has slammed the US’ support for Taiwan, immediately calling it a dangerous provocation.I also strongly oppose this Efforts to force sale of TikTok.
The bill also allocates $61 billion for Ukraine to protect itself from Russian aggression. The Biden administration has complained loudly that China’s support for Russia’s military-industrial sector has enabled Moscow to override Western sanctions and step up attacks on Ukraine.
U.S. officials have said relations between China and Russia will be a major topic during Mr. Blinken’s visit, and just before talks began on Friday, Russian President Vladimir said: President Putin announces visit to China In May.
