China’s Top Diplomat Urges US Secretary of State to Improve Relations
China’s top diplomat Wang Yi urged US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to “work with China” to improve relations between the two countries, according to a report released on Friday by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Yi told Blinken, according to the report, that Washington “should take a rational and pragmatic approach and work with China in the same direction.” ASEAN) discussions.
It was their second face-to-face meeting in months since Blinken’s visit to China in June aimed at defusing tensions between the two powers.
“American Warning”
In turn, Blinken warned the Chinese official that Washington would prosecute those responsible for the cyberattack on US government agencies, which he claims was a Chinese source, and Wang urged the US to stop interfering in China’s affairs.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said, “And presented China’s firm position on the Taiwan issue and urged the United States to avoid any interference in China’s internal affairs,” since China considers Taiwan to be part of its territory.
Ye also urged Washington to “stop harming China in the areas of economics, trade, science and technology, and lift illegal and unjustified sanctions against China.”
“Frank discussion”
In recent years, tensions between the two countries have escalated over several issues, including trade, technology, US military support for Taiwan, Beijing’s growing presence in the South China Sea, and its strong relationship with Moscow.
The ministry said the discussion between the two ministers did not make much progress but was “frank, pragmatic and constructive,” noting that both sides “agreed to continue communication.”
Diplomatic exchanges between Washington and Beijing have intensified in recent weeks, including Blinken’s visit, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s visit, and the upcoming visit of US climate special envoy John Kerry.
