US-China Relations: "Need to Choose Between Dialogue and Confrontation"

During his two-day visit to China, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed Taiwan and other pressing issues with China's top diplomat Wang Yi for approximately three hours in Beijing on June 19.

According to Wang, Blinken's visit comes at a "critical moment" in US-China relations and "requires a choice between dialogue and confrontation, cooperation and conflict," Chinese state television CCTV reported.

Mr. Wang also stated that the deteriorating relationship between the two countries is due to Washington's "misconceptions" about China. He also urged the US not to assume that China is seeking dominance, and not to "misjudge" Beijing based on the trajectory of traditional Western powers.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken prepares to attend a meeting with Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission of China, at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing on June 19. Photo: SCMP/AFP

President Xi Jinping's top foreign policy adviser also called on Washington to lift unilateral sanctions against China, stop "suppressing" China's technological development, and refrain from interfering in Beijing's internal affairs.

Regarding the Taiwan issue, Wang emphasized that safeguarding national unity will always be "at the core of China's core interests" and that "there is no room for compromise."

Meanwhile, Mr. Blinken adopted a more conciliatory tone, emphasizing the need for open channels of communication to ensure that "competition does not lead to conflict."

Mr. Blinken also raised several issues of concern and stressed that the United States will “always defend the interests and values ​​of the American people.”

Blinken's meeting with Wang took place a day after he held a six-hour meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang. Both sides described their talks as "frank" and "constructive."

Mr. Blinken is the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit China since 2019, partly due to strict travel restrictions imposed by Covid-19. His trip comes at a time when Washington's relationship with China is strained over a range of issues, including Taiwan, the Ukraine conflict, and technology.

The visit comes after months of increased contact between top U.S. and Chinese officials abroad and through online meetings, amid concerns on both sides about a deterioration in relations over issues ranging from Taiwan to semiconductors and human rights .

Mr. Blinken had previously planned to visit China but postponed the trip in February when a balloon, believed to be a Chinese spy balloon, flew over U.S. territory.

Observers believe his meeting with key Chinese officials was also aimed at finalizing details for a meeting between US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

On June 17, Biden said he hoped to meet with Xi “in the next few months.” This could take place at the annual Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in California later this year.

Nguyen Tuyet (Based on SCMP, Reuters, Al Jazeera)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/quan-he-my-trung-can-phai-lua-chon-giua-doi-thoai-va-doi-dau-a613274.html