"US Human Rights at Lowest Level" "We Also Make Mistakes" US-China Historic Meeting Turns Contentious

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The first high-level US-China talks since the launch of the Joe Biden administration showed a direct clash from the start. As both sides had predicted they would present their respective positions, a tense standoff continued. It is expected that prospects for an early recovery in US-China relations will be slim.

U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken (center right) is asking the departing press to re-enter during a statement by Yang Jiechi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee responsible for foreign affairs. (Twitter capture)

On the 18th (local time), US Secretary of State Tony Blinken and White House National Security Council (NSC) Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Chinese Communist Party Politburo member in charge of foreign affairs Yang Jiechi and State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Anchorage, Alaska, in the afternoon.

Despite being the first high-level contact between the two countries under the new US administration, both sides launched offensives with blunt language without any pleasantries. Only opening remarks were made public, but the sharp exchanges were intense enough to be described as a meeting between hostile nations.

Secretary Blinken, who spoke first, unleashed criticism of China’s human rights record, Hong Kong and Taiwan issues, and hacking without hesitation. He also launched a preemptive offensive by stating, "The United States will discuss deep concerns about China’s actions, including in the Xinjiang region." This was an attempt to pressure China on human rights, a core diplomatic and security concern of the Biden administration.

He also proposed discussing Hong Kong, Taiwan, cyberattacks against the US, and economic coercion toward allies.

Advisor Sullivan also joined in, saying, "We do not seek conflict and welcome fierce competition, but we will stand up for our principles for our people and friends."

Politburo member Yang Jiechi did not back down. Contrary to his usual reputation for politeness, Yang wore a serious expression and launched a counterattack.

Yang criticized, "The United States uses its military and financial superiority to pressure other countries," and accused it of abusing the concept of national security to threaten the future of international trade. He also pointed out that the US incites other countries to attack China.

Yang said that the Chinese delegation came to the US at the invitation of the United States and that announcing new sanctions is not a way to welcome guests.

He further stated that Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and Taiwan are all inseparable parts of China’s territory and that China firmly opposes US interference in its internal affairs.

Yang used harsh expressions such as "Human rights in the United States are at the lowest level," and "Black people are being massacred in the US," attacking the US on the need to improve human rights.

When Yang mentioned human rights in the US, Secretary Blinken responded with an unplanned rebuttal. He said, "We are endlessly striving to build a more perfect community. This pursuit means we are not perfect and make mistakes."

Secretary Blinken also showed an unusual behavior. Before the Chinese side’s remarks, when the press was asked to leave, he requested that they stay to hear the entire statement. This is interpreted as an attempt to publicize the pressure from the Chinese side.

In response, Politburo member Yang expressed dissatisfaction, saying, "Is this the kind of dialogue you wanted? We thought the US side would uphold diplomatic standards. Perhaps we thought too highly of the US."

The talks are scheduled to continue for two days until the next day. The US side had already anticipated that a joint declaration would be difficult to produce. In fact, it is expected that the talks will only serve to confirm each side’s positions.

On the same day, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said during a regular briefing regarding additional US-China meetings, "After discussing all matters in the talks, President Biden will decide on the future of bilateral relations." Considering the atmosphere of the talks that day, it seems unlikely that a meeting between President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping will be arranged soon.

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