Rome Meeting of US and China, Parallel Talks Without Even Elbow Greetings

China maintains original 'One China' principle, blames US for worsening bilateral relations
Minister Wang Yi warns, "Taiwan Strait crisis may occur"

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] The US and Chinese foreign ministers met face-to-face for the first time in seven months but remained at odds over the Taiwan issue.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

According to Chinese media including the state-run Xinhua News Agency on the 1st, Wang Yi, China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister, met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the 31st of last month (local time) in Rome, Italy, where the G20 summit was held, and emphasized that "Taiwan is part of China, and the mainland and Taiwan are one country."

He added, "Currently, the Taiwan issue involves Taiwan's continuous attempts to break the 'One China' principle, and the US supports Taiwan separatist (independence) forces," warning that "if the One China principle is undermined, bilateral relations could collapse, and a crisis could arise in the Taiwan Strait."

He also stated that the Taiwan issue is the most sensitive part of China-US relations and blamed the US for the deterioration of bilateral ties.

Minister Wang further said, "Stopping Taiwan's independence movement is protecting peace in the Taiwan Strait," urging the US to "show China the real One China principle, not a fake one; promises, not betrayals; and actions, not words."

At the end of the talks, Minister Wang left room for improving relations with the US by saying, "We are willing to maintain regular contact and have frank dialogue with the US."

Secretary Blinken responded to China's claims by saying, according to Xinhua News Agency, "The US agrees that bilateral relations should be developed in the spirit of mutual respect with China and agrees to avoid confrontation through communication with China."

Xinhua also added that the two countries exchanged views on climate change, global energy supply issues, the Iran nuclear issue, the Korean Peninsula, Myanmar, and the situation in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Chinese media reported that the meeting was held where the Chinese delegation was staying, and the US delegation, including Secretary Blinken, entered through a side entrance rather than the main gate. They also noted that although the two ministers took commemorative photos before the 50-minute meeting, they did not shake hands or greet each other with elbow bumps.

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