Chinese envoy to the United States seeks “rational” relationship

Beijing’s new ambassador to Washington said on Thursday that he is committed to promoting “rational, stable, controllable and constructive” Sino-US relations.

According to reports, Ambassador Qin Gang held a formal meeting with US officials for the first time after arriving in a two-week quarantine after arriving on July 28. He met with US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R. Sherman on Thursday afternoon and discussed “issues of common concern”. “Exchange opinions. Reading from the Chinese Embassy.

Qin said that the relationship between the two countries is at a new crossroads. I will strengthen communication and dialogue with the US in accordance with the spirit of the telephone conversation between President Xi Jinping and President Biden on the New Year’s Eve on February 11. And strive to promote this relationship.

The Chinese statement stated that Sherman welcomed Qin’s appointment and stated that the State Council would provide convenience and support for the ambassador’s work in the United States.

US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said Sherman also reviewed her meeting with Chinese officials in Tianjin last month and “expressed the United States’ commitment to continue discussions.”

Both Qin and Sherman posted photos of their meeting at the State Department on Twitter. Regardless of the vaccination situation, the mask regulations of the Federal Building were followed, and both of them wore masks.

The details of the talks were not immediately available, but Qin told reporters that they had conducted “in-depth and candid” talks and agreed that bilateral relations are very important.

Qin said that to improve this relationship, both sides should resolve issues through dialogue and communication, and manage differences and contradictions.

Qin said that he “clearly” stated China’s position on the Taiwan issue, which he said is the most important and sensitive issue in the relationship between the two countries.

Qin, 55, was the Deputy Foreign Minister before being appointed the 11th Chinese ambassador to the United States, succeeding Cui Tiankai, who was the longest envoy in this position from April 2013 to June this year.

Qin Guo said that he is looking forward to “promoting Sino-US relations to get back on track” and turning the two countries’ mutual respect, equal treatment, win-win cooperation, and peaceful coexistence from possible to reality. .

After arriving in Washington for more than half a month, Qin Chao has repeatedly tweeted to congratulate the U.S. team for winning the most medals in the recent Tokyo Olympics, to celebrate Sino-U.S. cultural cooperation, and to expand cooperation in other fields.

For example, on Tuesday, he tweeted to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Smithsonian Museum, the largest museum complex in the world, including 19 museums and the National Zoo.

“Thank you for your great cooperation with China for more than 40 years in cultural relics protection, cultural and historical exhibitions, giant panda protection and’Spring Festival Family Day’. Looking forward to more cooperation!” he wrote.

During the two-week quarantine period, Qin expressed on Twitter his concern about the rampant spread of the Delta coronavirus variant, and wrote: “The infection in the United States is making a comeback, and there is a local outbreak in China. What about our two countries? Together? Research solutions, such as more effective vaccines and help other countries?”

The ambassador also pointed out opportunities for the two countries to work on environmentally friendly vehicles.

“President Biden announced that in 2030, half of all new vehicles in the United States will be electric. I learned from General Motors in Shanghai that by 2035, it will only produce electric vehicles in China. By then, China will have 160+ million. A new energy vehicle, higher than 6.03, will reach US$1 million in 2021. The potential for cooperation is huge,” he said in a post on his Twitter account last week.