BEIJING: President Xi Jinping dubbed US-China talks “very good” on Monday after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s historic visit.
The leaders met after a rare visit to prevent superpower wars.
Blinken, the first occupant of his office to meet the Chinese leader since 2018. He marched towards Xi with his hand outstretched at the Great Hall of the People. It is where China greets heads of state—positive diplomatic signals.
Blinken followed Xi across a pink lotus-covered meeting table.
Their 30-minute meeting may help Xi and Biden meet this year.
Biden and Xi agreed more frequent communication at the G20 conference in Bali, Indonesia, in November, but ties have since deteriorated over Taiwan and spying.
“We agreed to implement President Biden and my Bali agreements.” Both parties agreed on other matters. “This is very good,” Xi said at the meeting’s start.
Xi told Xinhua that China “hopes to see a sound and steady China-US relationship” and anticipates “can overcome various difficulties” during closed-door talks.
He cautioned the US against “hurting China’s legitimate rights and interests”.
Xi’s statements and Blinken’s readouts of his meetings with China’s top diplomat Wang Yi on Monday and foreign minister Qin Gang on Sunday did not indicate improvement.
Blinken emphasised open communication to control competition during “productive” discussions with Wang.
“We must take a responsible attitude towards the people, history and the world. And reverse the downward spiral of US-China relations,” Wang said Blinken, according to China’s foreign ministry.
Beijing’s reluctance to undertake regular military-to-military talks with Washington has alarmed China’s neighbours and the world.
The State Department said Blinken stressed “the need to reduce the risk of misperception and miscalculation” during 7-1/2 hours of meetings with Qin on Sunday.
Both sides increased passenger flights, which boosted Chinese airline shares.
Taiwan issue
Blinken’s visit has emphasised Beijing’s stance on Taiwan, the democratic island it claims. Wang said “China has no room for compromise or concessions” in the Chinese readout.
Beijing has not ruled out attacking Taiwan, while the US has “strategic ambiguity” about responding militarily.
Last year, President Joe Biden said Washington would defend Taiwan if China invaded, but officials said his statements did not affect the “one China” policy.
US leaders oppose Taiwan independence.
The Chinese summary said Sunday’s meetings were encouraging, but Taiwan is the most important and dangerous subject.
“Qin Gang pointed out that the Taiwan issue is the core of China’s core interests, the most important issue in Sino-US relations, and the most prominent risk,” Chinese state media quoted Qin telling the senior US envoy.
US officials and analysts expect Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to arrive after Blinken’s visit.
