Wang Yi and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken Hold Talks in Vientiane
Vientiane, The Gulf Observer: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken convened in Vientiane to exchange views on bilateral relations, agreeing to maintain communication at all levels and further implement the significant common understandings reached at the San Francisco meeting last November between the two heads of state.
During the meeting, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, highlighted that over the past three months, the diplomatic, financial, law enforcement, and climate teams of both sides, as well as their militaries, have maintained communication alongside increased people-to-people exchanges.
However, Wang underscored that the U.S. has continued efforts to contain and suppress China, exacerbating tensions. He stated that China-U.S. relations are faced with accumulating risks and challenges and are at a critical juncture demanding efforts to recalibrate direction, manage risks, properly address differences, remove disturbances, and advance cooperation.
Wang reaffirmed China’s consistent policy towards the United States, which adheres to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation. He urged the U.S. to implement President Joe Biden’s commitments earnestly and return to a rational and pragmatic China policy. He called for both sides to work together to promote a stable, healthy, and sustainable relationship.
Wang criticized the U.S. for its erroneous perception of China, asserting that China does not seek hegemony or practice power politics. He highlighted China’s focus on the well-being of its people, peaceful development, and building a community with a shared future for mankind.
Addressing the Taiwan issue, Wang reiterated that Taiwan is part of China and will never be a country, warning that provocations by “Taiwan independence” forces would be met with countermeasures. He expressed the goal of complete unification.
Wang also discussed the Ren’ai Jiao issue, stating that China has a provisional arrangement with the Philippines and urged the Philippine side to stop shipping construction materials, cautioning the U.S. against stirring trouble in the South China Sea.
On the Ukraine issue, Wang emphasized China’s fair and transparent stance, promoting peace talks and calling on the U.S. to cease unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction. He reaffirmed China’s determination to protect its major interests and legitimate rights.
Blinken conveyed the U.S.’s strong commitment to stabilizing U.S.-China relations, reiterating adherence to the one-China policy. He expressed the desire to maintain regular communication and cooperation in areas such as counternarcotics and artificial intelligence, aiming to manage differences and avoid misunderstandings and miscalculations.
The two sides also exchanged views on the situations in Gaza, the Korean Peninsula, and Myanmar, among other matters.
