The recent frequent interactions and exchanges between China and the US are helpful in managing the current complicated situation of bilateral relations and more efforts and actions from the US side have been called to help create friendly environment for higher level talks, Chinese analysts said after the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Friday released a readout from the latest meeting of senior diplomats from China and the US.
In accordance with the consensus reached by China and the US and at the invitation of the US, on Wednesday, Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong met with US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink in Washington and the two sides held a candid, in-depth and constructive exchange of views on China-US relations, the situation in the Asia-Pacific region, their respective regional policies, and international and regional issues of common concern, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s release.
During the meeting, Sun elaborated on China’s position on the Taiwan question and emphasized that the one-China principle is the cornerstone of peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits. He also expressed China’s position on the US’ implementation of the so-called Indo-Pacific Strategy and the South China Sea.
Sun said that China emphasizes that positive interactions between China and the US in the Asia-Pacific are in the common interests of both sides and are also the common aspiration of regional countries.
Both sides agreed to continue to maintain communication on Asia-Pacific affairs, according to the release from the Chinese side.
The release from the US Department of State also said that the two sides had “a candid, in-depth, and constructive consultation on regional issues as part of ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication” and it also noted that the two sides reiterated the importance of maintaining open channels of communication on areas of difference as well as areas of cooperation.
The meeting between Sun and Kritenbrink came as the latest frequent engagements between China and the US, including the meeting between Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in New York and the meeting between Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi and US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in Malta.
The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that China’s top diplomat Wang Yi is planning to visit Washington in October. It also said that China and the US are discussing a trip to the US by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. However, as of press time, there has no confirmed information about these trips from China.
The recent frequent and high-level interactions between China and the US could help promote communications and help the two sides manage dispute and the complicated bilateral relations, Li Haidong, a professor at the Institute of International Relations at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times.
Aside from meetings between senior officials, the US has also showed positive attitude toward China on various diplomatic events, Li said, referring to US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s thanking China for allowing detained US soldier Travis King to leave North Korea through Chinese territory.
These positive interactions fit the theme that China has always stressed for mutual respect and win-win cooperation, said Li.
Many US media outlets declared high expectations of a possible China-US summit later this year on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting which will be held in San Francisco in November and some speculated that recent interactions are paving the way for the meeting.
Li said that there is possibility for a higher-level meeting but there are too many issues between China and the US and the US should take more actions to create greater momentum and friendly atmosphere for a meeting between the top leaders of the two countries.
Some analysts said that the US has showed more positive attitude on words than on moves for top leaders’ meeting in recent months as it is still creating obstacles for bilateral relations, especially on the Taiwan question, the South China Sea issue and US’ unilateral sanctions on Chinese firms.
The US recently approved a possible sale of infrared search and track systems for F-16 fighter jets to the island of Taiwan in an apparent move to counter J-20 stealth fighter jets of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and China required the US to immediately cancel the arms sales plan.
Li said that actions speak louder than words and the Biden administration needs to present more sincerity in improving relations with China given the increasing impact by anti-China sentiment in the US linked to its China policy.
