Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, and Wang Yi speak

By Michael V. Bolgent

Administrator

Posted: July 9, 2022 at 3:32 PM, Updated: July 9, 2022 at 3:32 PM

Antony Blinken the US Secretary of State and Wang Yi speak

After the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting ended on July 9, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Bali. The two sides engaged in extensive, in-depth, and open discussions about US-China ties as well as global and regional problems of shared interest. Both parties acknowledged that the conversation was significant and fruitful and that it had improved their mutual understanding, decreased miscommunication and error, and created the groundwork for future high-level encounters.

Wang Yi pointed out that despite progress, China-US relations are still struggling under the effects of the previous US government. The relationship’s historical story has been warped, “political correctness” is sabotaging its current evolution, and it runs the risk of going even more off course. This is largely due to America’s erroneous assessment of China, which led to a China policy that veers off course. The US’s strategy toward China is riddled with paradoxes, and there is a serious misalignment in how it views the world, China, US-China ties, and competing interests. Thus, a lot of individuals claim that China phobia in the United States is increasing. The US-China policy will only result in a dead-end with no way out if such threat inflation is left uncontrolled.

Wang Yi emphasized that sincerely putting into practice the common understandings achieved by the two Presidents is the basic strategy for guiding China-US relations out of difficulties. To advance China-US ties, China has always operated by the three guiding principles proposed by President Xi Jinping: respect for one another, peaceful cohabitation, and win-win collaboration. The US side needs to take genuine action to fulfil the five pledges made by President Biden.

Wang Yi emphasized that the United States should respect the Chinese people’s decision to adopt socialism with Chinese characteristics and cease disparaging and criticizing China’s political system, as well as its domestic and foreign policies, in light of its assurances that it does not seek to alter China’s system. The United States should give up the Cold War attitude, desist from zero-sum games, and cease forming exclusive groups since it has pledged not to seek out a new Cold War with China. The United States should refrain from weakening or distorting the one-China policy, avoid “salami-slicing” the Taiwan issue, and stop using the “Taiwan card” to thwart China’s peaceful reunification because it has pledged not to back “Taiwan independence.” The United States should respect China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, cease meddling in its domestic affairs, and stop undermining China’s legitimate interests under the guise of human rights or democracy as it has pledged not to seek out confrontation with China. As soon as possible, the United States should also end its unilateral penalties against Chinese companies and remove the additional tariffs it has slapped on China.

Wang Yi highlighted the US call for safeguards for China-US ties and emphasized that the three joint communiqués between the two nations are the most trustworthy safeguards. The bilateral ties will not veer off course or spin out of control if the two sides carry out the commitments made in the three joint communiqués, stick to the proper direction, swiftly eliminate the barriers, and maintain the way forward smooth and uninterrupted. Otherwise, no number of barriers would be effective. The establishment of ground rules for their conduct should be discussed by the two parties in the interests of respect for one another, peaceful cohabitation, averting hostilities, and win-win collaboration. It is crucial to establish channels for putting the two Presidents’ shared understandings into action and for better coordinating communications between various authorities in many domains. Additionally, it’s essential to effectively handle conflicts and tensions while tackling serious problems. So far, China has presented the US side with four lists: a list of US wrongdoings that must stop; a list of important individual cases that the US must resolve; a list of 117th Congress Acts that are of great concern to China; and a list of cooperation proposals in eight areas. The Chinese side is hoping that the US side will take these lists seriously.

Wang Yi provided a thorough breakdown of China’s firm stance on the Taiwan issue. He emphasized that the United States must exercise caution in both its words and deeds, refrain from sending the wrong message to proponents of “Taiwan independence,” not undervalue the Chinese people’s unwavering commitment to defending their territorial sovereignty, and avoid making crucial errors that could endanger the stability of the Taiwan Strait. Wang also challenged false assumptions made by the US about, among other things, maritime issues, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang.

The United States does not want to start a new Cold War with China, alter China’s political system, undermine the CPC, or obstruct China, according to Secretary Blinken, who also emphasized that it does not support Taiwan’s independence or want to alter the situation across the Taiwan Strait. The US is open to working with China and is dedicated to addressing risks in their bilateral relations.

The two sides agreed to work cooperatively for more joint working group outcomes between China and the US and to improve working conditions for their diplomatic and consular staff to continue consultations and exchanges on interpersonal and cultural issues. The two parties also decided to intensify their collaboration on public health and climate change issues.