Ahead of G7 Summit, US and China Foreign Ministers Clash Again

Conflict Over Taiwan and COVID-19 Origin Investigation
Sharing US North Korea Policy on Denuclearization

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken and Yang Jiechi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China in charge of foreign affairs, once again engaged in a heated exchange. Although both sides discussed the North Korean nuclear issue, the call, which took place at a time when the United States is increasing pressure on China ahead of the Group of Seven (G7) summit, highlighted conflict rather than compromise.

The two, who first met in Alaska last March and engaged in fierce debates, clashed again over issues such as the investigation into the origins of COVID-19 in China and the Taiwan issue, each asserting their respective positions.

The U.S. State Department stated on the 11th (local time) that Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of China's cooperation and transparency regarding the origin of the COVID-19 virus, including the need for a second phase of expert-led research by the World Health Organization (WHO), during his call with Yang Jiechi.

President Biden had previously instructed U.S. intelligence agencies to review and report on the origins of COVID-19, including the possibility of a Chinese laboratory origin.

In response, China's state-run CCTV reported that Yang Jiechi said, "Some Americans have fabricated baseless stories that COVID-19 started in the Wuhan laboratory," and urged not to politicize the issue of COVID-19 origins but to focus on international epidemic prevention cooperation.

Although Secretary Blinken mentioned urging China to stop its pressure policy on Taiwan and to resolve cross-strait issues peacefully, Yang Jiechi emphasized, "There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inseparable part of China," warning that the U.S. should adhere to the One-China principle and approach Taiwan cautiously.

Yang Jiechi also indirectly criticized the upcoming G7 summit, which is expected to increase pressure on China. He stated, "True multilateralism is not fake multilateralism based on the interests of 'small circles,'" and argued, "The only true multilateralism is based on the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law."

The State Department also conveyed that Secretary Blinken expressed concerns about the deterioration of democracy in Hong Kong and human rights abuses in the Xinjiang region.

Although the two sides continued to clash, there is also potential for cooperation on the North Korean issue. The State Department said the two discussed the need for cooperation between the U.S. and China for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, focusing on the U.S. review of its North Korea policy.

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