China Says Talks with US “Frank and Helpful” Despite Strong Criticism

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China has called recent talks with Assistant Secretary of State Wendy Sherman “profound, sincere and helpful,” despite the fact that Biden’s senior official was critical in a performative show that was praised by its citizens.

Sherman’s last-minute visit to Tianjin on Sunday and Monday made her the highest diplomat in the Biden administration to set foot in China so far. It is not clear whether Washington expected fierce criticism from Beijing, but the trip appeared to serve the crucial purpose of maintaining high-level communication at a time of very strained relations between the two countries.

His talks with Xie Feng, a Foreign Ministry official for US Affairs, were followed by no less than six official statements and two additional statements after his brief meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The Eight Opinions sternly reprimanded US attempts to shape China’s behavior.

“During the talks, China has confronted the existing problems in bilateral relations head-on, frankly exposed China’s attitude and position on the development of relations with the United States, expressed its opposition without equivocal to the interference of the United States in the internal affairs of China and to the prejudice of China. interests and made it clear that the United States must change course and correct its mistakes, “Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Monday at a regular press conference.

Xie also warned the United States of so-called “red line” issues, including Taiwan, Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and the South China Sea, Zhao said, after Sherman raised the continuing concerns of the Biden administration regarding tensions in the Taiwan Strait, human rights violations against Uyghurs. in Xinjiang, the crackdown on democratic freedoms in Hong Kong, and China’s attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China Seas.

In particular, the Chinese official told state media later that he had handed Sherman two lists of major US “misdeeds”, as well as urgent requests, which included the lifting of sanctions against Chinese officials and entities and the removal of the extradition request. for Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou.

File photo: Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng. PHILIP FONG / AFP via Getty Images

The critical approach appeared to be welcomed by the Chinese public, with local media praising Xie in particular, who they said had been propelled to stardom overnight, mirroring the achievements of the business chief. Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi following his heated dialogue with the Secretary of State. Anthony Blinken in Alaska in March.

Despite the hostile atmosphere, the practical purpose of Sherman’s visit seemed to have been accomplished. Zhao said officials from both sides “had an in-depth exchange of views on a wide range of issues relating to their respective and mutual interests.”

The United States has requested China’s cooperation and support on climate change, Iran and North Korea’s nuclear weapons development issue, among other matters, the government spokesperson noted.

“Overall, the talks were deep, frank and helpful so that the two sides could better understand each other’s position and seek healthy development of Sino-US relations in the future,” Zhao added.

This would have been in line with the clear signals issued by the Biden administration, which has stressed its willingness to maintain high-level dialogue, if not direct lines of communication between President Joe Biden and Xi Jinping, in order to avoid miscalculations. and potential accidents with reaching consequences.

Zhao echoed this view on Tuesday, saying, “We can say that the two sides have had deep and in-depth conversations and have improved mutual understanding.”

He added: “Differences and somewhat strained encounters are commonplace in diplomacy. Both sides believe the meeting and discussions are frank, thorough and constructive. more frank and sincere dialogue. “

After his trip to Tianjin, Sherman tweeted, “Open communication, even when we don’t agree, is essential to diplomacy. We will continue to pressure the PRC to comply with international standards and its international obligations.

Also on Monday, State Department spokesman Ned Price said Sherman and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang “had a frank and open discussion on a range of issues, demonstrating the importance of maintaining lines. of open communication between our two countries “.

“They discussed how to set the conditions for responsible handling of US-China relations,” Price said.

In an interview with The Associated Press on Monday, Sherman said, “We’ll see if, in fact, there’s a follow-up and we’re in a position to take another step forward. There is no way at the start of building this relationship if we will get to all the places we hoped for. “

File photo: Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman. Thierry Chesnot / Getty Images

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