China and U.S. to explore ways to improve relations, says Wang Yi

Beijing, The Gulf Observer: Zero-sum thinking is only mutually destructive. China and the U.S. should explore the right way to get along with each other, making efforts for the well-being of the people in both countries and maintaining peace and stability for the world, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in a phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday.

In the phone call at the request of Blinken, Wang Yi said that the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden in Bali last month sent a positive signal to the world that the two major states are stepping out from a difficult time and getting back on track to healthy and stable relations.

However, it must be pointed out that the U.S. can’t engage in dialogue and containment at the same time, neither can it talk cooperation in front of China, but stab it in the back simultaneously. It’s not reasonable competition, but irrational oppression. It’s not managing divides, but intensifying conflicts, Wang said. He called on the U.S. to pay attention to China’s legitimate concerns and stop trying to suppress China’s development and constantly challenging China’s red lines.

Wang stressed that the current focus of the two countries should be translating the consensus reached by two heads of the state in Bali into practical policies and concrete actions, adding last week’s meeting between officials from the two sides in north China’s Hebei Province was in-depth and constructive, and the two sides should step up consultations on the guiding principles of China-U.S relations, advance dialogues at all levels and in various fields in an orderly manner, and resolve specific issues between the two countries through joint working groups.

New year brings new hopes. Wang expressed his hope that the two countries’ relationship could keep improving next year.

Blinken said the U.S. is willing to discuss the guiding principles for bilateral relations, manage the relationship in a responsible manner and carry out cooperation in areas that meet the common interests of both sides. The U.S. will continue pursuing the One-China policy and the U.S. doesn’t support Taiwan’s “independence”.

The U.S. Secretary of State added that the U.S. appreciates China’s leadership and chairmanship of 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity in pushing for an ambitious framework on biodiversity protection, and the U.S. is looking forward to work together to promote its implementation. As a reply, Wang said that China is willing to work with all parties to safeguard the only planet that humanity shares.

Both sides also exchanged opinions on the Ukraine issue. Wang emphasized that China always stands on the side of peace, and will promote peace talks together with the international community. China will continue to play a constructive role in resolving the crisis in its own way, Wang said.