China will not challenge or replace the United States.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken concluded his high-level visit to Beijing with a surprise meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on June 19, as the two governments sought to mend relations from a deep freeze.

The 35-minute meeting sent a signal that neither the U.S. nor China wants their relationship to be defined by overt hostility.

Mr. Blinken and Mr. Xi held talks at the Great Hall of the People, the large building west of Tiananmen Square, where Mr. Xi often receives state leaders.

"The two sides also made a lot of progress and reached agreement on a number of specific issues. This is very good," Xi said without elaborating, according to the meeting transcript released by the U.S. State Department.

Mr. Blinken, Mr. Xi, Mr. Wang Yi, and other top Chinese foreign policy officials at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 19. Photo: AP

Although Xi Jinping did not specify what agreements Blinken had reached in China, there were signs of progress on tangible issues from previous meetings.

On June 18, both sides said they had discussed increasing flights between the two countries, as many flights had been canceled during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it also agreed to encourage educational exchanges, a sign that more visas for students from both countries may soon be issued.

President Xi expressed confidence that the two countries could overcome difficulties to find a way to reconcile based on mutual respect. He also added that China hopes to achieve a stable and lasting relationship with the United States.

"The world needs a stable U.S.-China relationship, and the two countries should handle their relationship responsibly," Chinese state television CCTV quoted President Xi Jinping as saying during his meeting with Blinken.

According to Xi Jinping, whether China and the United States can get along well affects the future and destiny of humanity, and the success of each nation should be seen as an opportunity, not a threat.

"China respects the interests of the United States and will not challenge or replace the United States. Similarly, the United States must respect China and not harm China's legitimate rights and interests," Xi said.

"Neither side can mold the other to its liking, let alone deprive the other of its legitimate right to development," he added.

Mr. Blinken (left) shakes hands with China's top diplomat Wang Yi at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing on June 19, 2023. Photo: SCMP

Mr. Blinken told the Chinese leader that the U.S. government is committed to responsibly managing its relationship with China because it is “in the interests of the United States, of China, and of the world,” and described his talks with senior officials during his trip as “frank” and “effective.”

The meeting was attended by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying along with other senior officials, including US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang.

The positive tone during Blinken's important visit to Beijing will raise expectations that relations between the two superpowers can reach a more stable foundation.

The meeting between Mr. Blinken and Mr. Xi also laid the groundwork for direct talks between him and US President Joe Biden, expected to take place at the APEC summit in California later this year, and acted as a catalyst for more bilateral interactions between the two countries in the future .

Nguyen Tuyet (Based on Bloomberg, CNBC, NY Times, SCMP)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/chu-tich-tap-can-binh-trung-quoc-se-khong-thach-thuc-hay-thay-the-my-a613301.html