Xi Jinping Urges Partnership Between US and China
BEIJING — Chinese leader Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of the US and China being “partners rather than adversaries” during a meeting with American diplomat Antony Blinken in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on Friday.
As Blinken concluded his three-day visit to China, both countries are working towards stabilizing their rocky relationship and enhancing communication on various contentious issues such as technology and Taiwan.
Xi stated, “China would like to see a confident, open, and prosperous United States. We hope that the United States will view China’s development in a positive light. Once this fundamental problem is solved, Sino-US relations will truly get better and move forward. China and the US should be partners rather than adversaries; help each other succeed rather than harm each other.”
Chinese officials are concerned about US actions taken in the name of national security, which Beijing perceives as attempts to suppress China’s development. These actions include restrictions on exporting high-tech goods to China with potential military applications and limitations on US investments in certain high-tech sectors within China.
During the meeting, Blinken assured Xi that the US is “committed to maintaining and strengthening lines of communication” with China and handling differences responsibly to avoid miscommunications, misperceptions, and miscalculations.
Recent progress cited by Blinken includes restoring military-to-military communications, collaborating on counternarcotics efforts, and discussing the future of artificial intelligence.
While the meeting between Blinken and Wang Yi was described as “substantive and constructive,” Wang emphasized the existing tensions between the two superpowers. He stated that China and the US face a choice between stability and a “downward spiral,” highlighting the importance of moving forward with stability and cooperation rather than rivalry and confrontation.
Wang accused the US of taking measures to suppress China’s economy and technology, creating risks rather than removing them. He emphasized the need for the two countries to clarify their differences and intentions to ensure clear communication.
The trip is part of ongoing high-level engagements between the US and China following a summit meeting between President Biden and President Xi in November. Both sides are working on advancing cooperation in various areas while addressing geopolitical challenges.
Key concerns discussed during the meeting include China’s support for Russia, activities in the South China Sea, and the need to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Wang reiterated China’s stance on Taiwan as a red line in US-China relations.
Overall, the meeting aimed to address differences, strengthen communication, and promote cooperation between the US and China on critical global issues.
