King Jung: "Hope US Regains Objectivity and Rationality in Its China Policy... Dialogue Must Begin"

Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister in charge of China's diplomacy
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Eun-byeol] Wang Yi, China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister in charge of diplomacy, said that dialogue must begin to improve the relationship with the United States, which has deteriorated to its worst level.

On the 19th, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on its website that Minister Wang made these remarks during a virtual speech at the US think tank Asia Society the previous evening.

In his speech, he proposed, "The two countries should resume dialogue, return to the right track, and rebuild mutual trust," adding, "Conflicts must be managed through dialogue and cooperation." He also said that US-China relations have fallen to their worst point in 41 years since diplomatic ties were established, expressing hope that "the US's China policy will regain objectivity and rationality as soon as possible."

Minister Wang also added that both countries must have a "correct understanding" of each other and establish a strategic framework for improving relations. He identified three potential areas for cooperation between the two countries: response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), climate change, and economic recovery.

Wang's remarks came amid continued anti-China measures by the Trump administration, such as restricting visas for Chinese Communist Party members and their families and sanctioning 14 vice chairpersons of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) for Hong Kong suppression. Notably, these are the most detailed comments from Chinese government officials since Joe Biden won the US presidential election last month.

He also issued warnings regarding actions that could worsen bilateral relations. He urged an end to interference in internal affairs such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet, stating, "As an independent sovereign country, China will naturally take necessary responses." Furthermore, he demanded, "Stop unreasonably suppressing Chinese companies under the pretext of national security." Regarding the South China Sea, a disputed territory, he said both sides should seek cooperation.

Additionally, Minister Wang sent a warning message to Australia amid sharply deteriorating China-Australia relations. He said, "Australia should seriously consider whether China is a threat or a partner."

Relations between China and Australia have been strained since 2018 when Australia banned Huawei's participation in its 5G network. The situation worsened after Australia called for an international investigation into the origins of COVID-19 this year. China has consecutively restricted imports of various Australian products, ranging from wine to coal.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.