Reasons to hope or at least to believe in better relations between China and the United States are suggested by the exchange this Monday, January 1, between Xi Jinping and Joe Biden, on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The Chinese president says he is ready to work with Washington.
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With our correspondent in Beijing, Stéphane Lagarde
The United States waited until January 1, 1979, after years of negotiations, to recognize Mao’s China and establish official diplomatic relations with Beijing. This epistolary exchange on the 1st day of 2024 was therefore expected.
Beyond the usual congratulations between heads of state, these messages also mark a slight improvement in communication between the two capitals, after years of tensions. During the meeting between Xi Jinping and Joe Biden last November in San Francisco, the world’s two largest economies agreed to reestablish different communication channels.
These high-level exchanges in different sectors should continue this year, according to the Chinese number one. “ History has proven and will continue to prove that adhering to mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation is the right way for China and the United States to get along », writes Xi Jinping.
With, obviously, for the Chinese president, the emphasis placed on Taiwan and the principle of “one China” also recognized by the American government at the time of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China 45 years ago .
An exchange which finally takes place, the day after the good wishes sent by Beijing to Moscow and Pyongyang. According to North Korean television, 2024 has been designated ” Year of Friendship between China and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. »
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