UN Secretary-General "Hopes to Reset US-China Relations"

Biden Administration Adopts Aggressive Stance on China in Human Rights and Security Sectors

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, "I hope the relationship between the United States and China will be reset."

On the 28th (local time), Secretary-General Guterres told reporters, "Although each country holds different views on human rights, they must cooperate on climate issues."

He emphasized, "It is clear that the two countries have no agreement or common vision on human rights issues, but there is a point where interests converge, which is climate action pursued by the entire international community."

As China's influence rapidly grows in the international community, the two countries experienced conflicts in various fields such as trade, economy, human rights, and security during the Donald Trump administration.

This statement is interpreted as a call for cooperation between the two countries in specific areas such as climate, despite the worst tensions during the previous administration.

Meanwhile, the Joe Biden administration has continued a tough stance toward China by issuing strong statements early in its term. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at the Senate confirmation hearing held a day before Biden's inauguration, "It was right that former President Trump took a tougher approach toward China," adding, "His basic principles were correct," signaling that the tough policy toward China will continue.

In his first press briefing after taking office, he also said, "The judgment on China's human rights issues against the Uyghur population in Xinjiang remains valid," suggesting that U.S.-China conflicts could extend beyond trade and economy to human rights issues.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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