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full screen US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at the meeting in Beijing on Friday. Photo: Mark Schiefelbein/AP/TT
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his US counterpart Antony Blinken both warned of the dangers of misunderstanding and misjudging each other when the two met in Beijing on Friday.
– Overall, the relationship between China and the United States is on the way to stabilization. But at the same time, the negative elements in the relationship continue to become increasingly prominent and build on, and the relationship is facing all sorts of disruptions, Wang told Blinken.
He then — without getting specific — addressed well-known Chinese grievances against the United States, including Washington’s position and posture in the South China Sea, Taiwan, human rights and China’s right to trade with any country.
Blinken, for its part, responded by emphasizing that the Biden administration places a high value on having a dialogue with Beijing, even on issues where the two disagree.
– I look forward to these discussions being characterized by clarity, directness about the areas where there are differences and where the US stands and I have no doubt that you will act in the same way on behalf of China, said Blinken.
Blinken’s visit to China is the second in a year. It follows a recent phone call between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, as well as a visit to the country by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.
American sources have previously stated that China’s relationship with Russia is one of the highest priority issues during Blinken’s visit.