The negotiations showed the depth of tensions between the world’s two largest economies at the start of the Biden era. In the meeting, which began Thursday, the parties soured each other with a rare and fierce mood when they openly criticized each other’s policies, even in front of TV cameras.
The talks did not achieve a diplomatic breakthrough, as expected, but the heat of debate indicates that the two countries have little in common in restoring the relationship system that has fallen to its lowest level in decades.
Before the current talks, US officials were holding talks in allies Japan and South Korea. In these discussions, Washington took a number of steps that have shown that it is taking a strong position. But Beijing has warned the United States with similar determination that it will not back down.
“We were expecting serious and direct talks, and that’s exactly what happened,” White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters shortly after the Chinese delegation left.
Members of the Chinese delegation left the hotel without speaking to reporters. Yang Zizhi, the Communist Party’s foreign affairs leader, later told the China-based international news channel CGTN that the talks were constructive and helpful, “but of course there are still differences.” “China will definitely defend national sovereignty, security and development,” he added.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said he was not surprised that the United States received a “defensive response” from China after allegations of human rights violations were raised in China against the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Tibet and Hong Kong, as well as cyberattacks. And the pressure on Taiwan.
Meanwhile, Blinken said the interests of both sides overlap – in Iran, North Korea, Afghanistan and climate change. The head of the US State Department believes that the United States has achieved what the meeting went into.
“In the fields of economics, trade and technology, our partners have told us that we will study these issues in close consultation with Congress, our allies and partners, and we will move forward to fully protect and advance the interests of our employees and companies,” Blinken explained.
Chinese state television quoted Foreign Minister Fang Jie as asserting that the US side told him that China’s sovereignty is a matter of principle, not underestimating Beijing’s determination to protect it.
