US-China Diplomatic Leaders Talk... Wang Yi Urges "Stop Containment and Suppression of China" (Summary)

Blinken "The World Expects US-China Cooperation... Will Maintain Communication"
Wang Yi on Ukraine Issue "Parties Must Make Calm Decisions"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Kim Hyunjung] For the first time since Xi Jinping, President of China, secured his third term, the top diplomats of the U.S. and China held a phone call to discuss improving bilateral relations and current issues such as the Ukraine war. Through this, China demanded that the U.S. rectify measures such as investment restrictions and trade controls, emphasizing that normalizing bilateral relations would be mutually beneficial.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website and the U.S. State Department announcement, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Foreign Minister, had a phone call lasting about 70 minutes on the 31st (China time).

During the call, Minister Wang stated, "Restoring Sino-U.S. relations to a stable and developmental track is not only in the common interest of both countries but also aligns with the general expectations of the international community," adding, "The United States should stop efforts to contain and suppress China and should not create new obstacles in bilateral relations." He further emphasized, "The U.S. has introduced new regulations on export controls against China, restricted investments in China, and seriously violated free trade rules, severely infringing on China's legitimate rights and interests," urging that "these must be rectified."

According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Secretary Blinken said, "The world expects U.S.-China cooperation," and "The U.S. side wishes to maintain communication with China regarding future U.S.-China relations and discuss the foundation of bilateral relations."

Regarding the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party, which recently confirmed President Xi's third term, Blinken's spokesperson expressed that they are "paying close attention," to which Minister Wang responded, "The 20th Party Congress is a democratic and progressive congress," mentioning socialism with Chinese characteristics and Xi Jinping Thought.

Minister Wang continued, "If the U.S. truly wants to understand China, it should carefully study the report of the 20th Party Congress," asserting, "China's domestic and foreign policies are open, transparent, and have clear strategic intentions. The U.S. side should not cloud its vision with ideological prejudice or make subjective guesses through tinted glasses."

The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine war, according to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Minister Wang explained, "All parties should make calm decisions and strengthen diplomatic efforts to prevent the situation from worsening or becoming uncontrollable." He added, "As long as there is hope, the door to negotiation cannot be closed, and as long as there is a 1% chance, 100% effort must be made."

Prior to the call with Blinken, on the 28th of last month, Minister Wang also met with Nicholas Burns, U.S. Ambassador to China. At that meeting, Wang emphasized to the U.S. ambassador, "China and the U.S. cannot replace each other, and the U.S. should not always try to frustrate China."

Chinese local media self-assessed that Minister Wang's remarks demonstrate China's intention to maintain a stable diplomatic line even after the Party Congress. The state-run Global Times introduced an analysis from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences stating, "China does not seek adjustments in foreign policy after the Party Congress and is making a positive gesture to inform the U.S. that it will continue to pursue a stable and constructive Sino-U.S. policy."

At a briefing on the 31st (Washington time), Ned Price, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, was asked about Secretary Blinken's response to Minister Wang's suppression remarks. He said, "At the May China strategy announcement, Secretary Blinken stated that we do not seek to contain China, and our goal is not to block China," adding, "Our goal is to maintain a rules-based world order that has helped manage interstate relations constructively and effectively for 80 years." He further explained, "It is not true that our policy is opposed to China. There are significant differences with China in many areas, and competition is at the core of the bilateral relationship. While competition has hostile elements, there are also cooperative elements."

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