Prof. ST Hsieh
Director, US-China Energy Industry Forum
626-376-7460
October 31, 2022
After the conclusion of CCP’s 20th National Congress, Xi is firmly in charge and ready to engage the world. US-China relation has been tense, but an Xi-Biden summit could offer a chance to re-set. These official contacts between Wang Yi and Blinken, Burns respectively offer crucial steps of moving forward. A critical signal is that the contentious issue of Taiwan had been left out during these dialogues. Taiwan issue won’t disappear, but it does not have to be the top focal points of every US-China engagement.
Ambassador Burns confirmed that he followed the progress of the 20th CCP’s National Congress closely and studied the Congress Report. Of course, the US State Department also studied the Congress Report closely. Hopefully, the US will have a better understanding of Xi’s policy in his third term.
There is no doubt that China is watching the US mid-term election on November 8th closely. If an Xi-Biden summit could be arranged before the year end, it could positively re-start the US-China engagement. It is almost certain that Biden will be a lame duck president after the mid-term election, however Biden still has an opportunity to lower tensions between US-China.
Wang Yi urges US not to be ‘blinded by ideology’ in phone call with Blinken
By Zhao Yusha Published: Oct 31, 2022 03:00 PM Global Times
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, spoke with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken via phone on Monday, with Wang urging the US to stop cracking down on China and putting up new obstacles to bilateral relations. China’s diplomatic and domestic policies are open and transparent, and the US should not be blinded by ideology, Wang noted.
The call, which took place after the curtain fell on the widely-watched 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), is seen by Chinese experts as demonstrating that China’s US policy is consistent, and that it is committed to pursuing stable and constructive relations while being willing to defend its own interests in the face of US provocation. The conversation between Wang and Blinken is also believed to pave the way for further talks between the world’s two biggest economies.
During the phone call, Blinken said that the US has been paying close attention to the 20th National Congress of the CPC and the report to the Congress.
Wang said the most important outcome of the 20th CPC National Congress is that, in response to the will of the Party and all Chinese people, General Secretary Xi Jinping’s core position in the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has been established.
Wang said that an important signal delivered by the 20th CPC National Congress is that China will stick to the diplomatic principle of supporting world peace and pushing forward common development; is committed to its fundamental national policy of opening to the outside world, promoting progress for mankind through Chinese modernization and bringing new opportunities to the world through China’s new development, which is how China is injecting maximum stability into a world in turmoil, according to the read out issued by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
If the US truly wants to know about China, it should carefully read the report, said Wang, noting that China’s domestic and diplomatic policies are open and transparent and its strategic intention is frank and forthright, and the US should not make subjective conjectures, nor be blinded by its ideological prejudice.
The phone call is a positive gesture from China to brief the US that China is not seeking major adjustments on foreign policy after the Congress, and that we will continue pursuing a stable, and constructive China-US policy, Lü Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times.
Before talking to Blinken, Wang also met with US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns on Friday. During the meeting, Wang also briefed Burns on the Congress and told the ambassador that China and the US cannot change each other, and the US shouldn’t think about thwarting China all the time.
Bilateral relations between China and the US have become frayed as the two are locked in clashes over issues such as the US technology crackdown on China, human rights and the Taiwan question.
When talking with Blinken, Wang pointed out that bringing bilateral relation back on track is not only in accordance with the two countries’ mutual interests, but also what the international community expects. The US should stop cracking down on China, and also stop trying to put up new obstacles to bilateral relations, Wang urged. He also warned that the US’ new restrictions on exports to and investment in China have severely violated free trade agreements, damaged China’s rightful interests, and should be corrected.
Blinken expressed the US’ willingness to maintain communication and engage in cooperation with China.
Experts also noticed that the Taiwan question, a hot-button issue in China-US relations, was not mentioned in the read outs of either the call between Wang and Blinken nor his meeting with Burns.
Wang and Blinken also expressed views on Ukraine and other issues. Wang said all sides involved should remain calm, and increase diplomatic efforts to prevent the situation from further escalating. As long as there’s a one percent possibility, 100 percent effort should be directed to keeping peace, Wang noted.
China shows ‘consistent, positive attitude’ toward US with Wang Yi’s meeting with Burns
By Cui Fandi Published: Oct 29, 2022 04:47 PM Global Times
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns on Friday, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry. With the meeting, China has once again demonstrated its positive attitude and expectations for the development of China-US relations, analysts said.
Wang said during the meeting that China-US relations are at a critical juncture. Chinese President Xi Jinping has pointed out that China and the US should respect each other, coexist peacefully, and forge win-win cooperation, Wang said. Relaying Xi’s call, Wang said this is the fundamental principle for the two countries to develop their relations.
Neither China nor the US can change the other, the US should stop trying to deal with China from a position of strength and stop trying to suppress and contain China’s development, Wang stressed.
Wang also said that the international community generally looks forward to the stable development of the China-US relations, and said that he hopes Burns can be a bridge and a link between China and the US as the ambassador.
In response, Burns said the US is willing to strengthen communication with China, manage differences, and advance cooperation.
During the meeting, Wang also briefed Burns on the major achievements and significance of the 20th CPC National Congress, to which Burns responded that he paid great attention to the Congress and carefully studied its report. The Chinese side’s introduction helped deepen the US side’s understanding of the report, he said.
On Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said there need to be favorable conditions and an enabling atmosphere for relevant communication to resume.