Prof. ST Hsieh
Director, US-China Energy Industry Forum
626-376-7460
October 2, 2023
It is good news that finally a group of bipartisan US senators will visit China next week, led by the majority leader, Senator Schumer (D). It has been a long while! It is in contrast to the numerous trips made by the US Congressmen and Senators to Taiwan in the last few years.
Probably, Senator Schumer should explain to his Chinese hosts what has transpired about the last-minute CR that averted the shutdown of US federal government for 45 days. Further, what might happen to the US government by November 15th or so when the CR expires.
Further, with many recent trips to China by the US cabinet level officials, Senator Schumer should explain to his Chinese hosts, what is US Senate’s China policy and strategy. Especially, these US Senators have expressed high desire to have a meeting with President Xi in Beijing: what they can deliver!
US-China relation is thawing but it is still very cold. Because despite all the visits, nice talks, announcements, no positive actions have been taken by either side. If Senator Schumer invited some Chinese lawmakers and he is ready to host them, would be a landmark achievement. But it is doubtful that Senator Schumer would risk the backlash from anti-China forces in the DC.
It is perfectly understandable that Senators from New York will talk with Chinese about their home-state industry Micron’s businesses. But it is doubtful that their hosts will react in one or the other! Politics and Businesses are two very different subjects!
China hopes US will ‘do more things’ conducive to dialogue
Mon, October 2, 2023 at 3:21 AM PDT
BEIJING, Oct 2 (Reuters) – China hopes the United States will “do more things” conducive to Sino-U.S. dialogue, the foreign ministry said on Monday, days after Washington angered Beijing with accusations of information manipulation.
Communication between officials of both sides has increased in recent months, bringing some improvement in ties strained for years over issues such as Taiwan, the origins of COVID-19 and accusations of Chinese spying.
“We hope the United States will meet (us) half way, do more things that are conducive to Sino-U.S. dialogue,” the (Foreign) ministry said in a statement.
China has always viewed two-way ties along the lines of mutual respect, peaceful co-existence and win-win cooperation, the ministry added.
The statement came in response to a Reuters request for comment on a message last week by U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken wishing “peace, happiness and prosperity” for the Chinese people ahead of Sunday’s National Day holiday.
Although Blinken welcomed China’s co-operation in tackling shared challenges on climate, public health, counter-narcotics, food security, and global macroeconomic stability, he made no mention of any co-operation on technology.
A U.S. state department report published on Thursday accused Beijing of ploughing billions of dollars annually into information manipulation efforts, prompting China’s foreign ministry to call the United States the true “empire of lies”.
Despite occasional sparks, expectations have been building that the recent rounds of high-level talks could help pave the way for a meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year.
US senators hope to meet with Xi during China trip next week
David Shepardson
Mon, October 2, 2023 at 4:33 PM PDT
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A group of U.S. senators, including Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, plans to visit China next week and hopes to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, a spokesperson for Republican Senator Mike Crapo confirmed on Monday.
THE TAKE
Some senators are eager to boost engagement with China and address business-related issues between China and the United States.
A growing number of U.S. businesses are expressing frustration at operating in China, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said recently. “For U.S. business in many cases patience is running thin and it’s time for action,” she said.
US Senators to Seek Xi Meeting, Discuss Micron on China Visit
Mackenzie Hawkins and Jenny Leonard
Mon, October 2, 2023 at 12:28 PM PDT·
(Bloomberg) — A bipartisan group of US senators hopes to meet with President Xi Jinping on a visit to China next week, Senator Mike Crapo said.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and his Republican colleague will also raise the issue of Micron Technology Corp.’s ability to do business in the country, where the company faces an ongoing probe by the government’s cybersecurity administration, according to people familiar with the preparations.
They also plan to meet with the US business community in Shanghai, among other groups, and discuss concerns about the investment climate for US companies, the people said, asking not to be identified to discuss details of the visit that aren’t yet public.
“The purpose is for us to engage with them, just like you’ve seen some of the senior administration officials, on the broad array of issues that we have,” Crapo said in an interview, declining to comment on specific matters the senators will discuss. “We really believe that the more engagement we have, the more opportunity and potential there is to resolve conflict,” he said.
Micron, headquartered in Boise, Idaho, is currently building a major chip-fabrication plant in upstate New York, making its business issues home-state concerns for both Crapo and Schumer, who represent those states. Micron has said the cyber probe has put half of its China sales at risk.
The senators’ trip follows several China visits by high-level officials in President Joe Biden’s administration seeking to smooth ties after months of escalating tensions. The US is hoping to open the door to a potential November meeting between Biden and Xi at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco, but Beijing hasn’t confirmed yet whether the Chinese leader will attend.
The White House is aware of the senators’ trip plans and encouraged them to go, people familiar with the matter said. A spokeswoman for the National Security Council didn’t respond to a request for comment.