China, Alaska '2+2 Talks'... No Expectation of Historic Progress

WSJ: Trump-Era Sanctions and Regulations to Be Demanded for Removal at China Talks
Chinese Media Predicts Debate Where Both Sides Assert Their Positions

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] On the 18th (local time), China is expected to demand the withdrawal of many of the Trump administration's policies toward China at the high-level face-to-face U.S.-China talks held in Alaska, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 17th.

On the other hand, the United States is expected to put trade, technology, human rights, and regional security issues all on the table and apply comprehensive pressure on China.

According to sources familiar with China's plans who spoke to WSJ, China is expected to urge the U.S. to withdraw sanctions and regulations imposed on individuals and institutions during the Trump administration at this meeting.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

The measures China wants to be withdrawn include sales restrictions on Huawei, China's largest telecommunications equipment company, and SMIC, the largest semiconductor company, visa restrictions on Chinese Communist Party members, international students, and state media journalists, as well as the closure of the Chinese Consulate General in Houston, WSJ reported.

WSJ also reported that the U.S. is expected to emphasize issues such as the suppression of Hong Kong's freedom, naval expansion in the South China Sea, economic pressure on U.S. allies, intellectual property theft, and cyber security attacks at this meeting. However, since both sides are likely to assert their own positions, WSJ predicted that this meeting will serve as an occasion to confirm how wide the gap between the two sides is.

A similar outlook article appeared in Chinese media. The state-run Global Times expressed displeasure, reporting that ahead of the Alaska talks, the Biden administration designated 24 senior Hong Kong officials as targets of sanctions.

The U.S. sanctions targets include Tam Yiu-chung, the only Hong Kong member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), and Wang Chen, Vice Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee and a member of the Political Bureau.

The Global Times described the U.S. measures as actions that dim hopes for resetting bilateral relations and stated that China's firm stance on Hong Kong will not waver.

Jin Chanlong, Deputy Director of the Institute of International Relations at Renmin University of China, said, "The U.S. sanctions show that the Biden administration has inherited most of the confrontational policies of the previous Trump administration," adding, "We should not harbor illusions or hopeful thoughts about the Biden government."

Yang Xiwei, Senior Researcher at the China Institute of International Studies, said, "Hong Kong is under China's sovereignty, and the U.S. cannot do anything to stop this," adding, "Even if the U.S. sanctions more Chinese officials, China will firmly push forward reforms in Hong Kong."

Diao Daming, Associate Professor at the Institute of International Relations at Renmin University, diagnosed, "This face-to-face meeting in Alaska is being held at the request of the U.S. side," indicating that the U.S. side wants to improve relations.

The Global Times, citing Chinese experts, said, "The Alaska talks will be a forum where China and the U.S. assert their respective positions," emphasizing, "We should not expect historic progress from this one meeting."

It also added that China is already a strategic competitor of the U.S., and as its national power has increased, patience is required to demonstrate China's maturity.

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