Hong Kong media reported on March 9 that Yang Jiechi, a member of the Chinese Communist Party‘s Political Bureau in charge of foreign affairs, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will travel to Angola, Alaska, to meet with top U.S. officials. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said she had read the report. But she did not give any positive response.
Hong Kong media reported on March 9 that Yang Jiechi, a member of the Chinese Communist Party’s Politburo in charge of foreign affairs, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet with top U.S. officials in Angola, Alaska, in an attempt to reset U.S.-China relations.
Asked if such a meeting was planned or already scheduled, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday (March 9) that she had read the reports. But she did not make any positive response.
There’s nothing I can tell you,” Psaki said. Apparently, President Biden has spoken to Communist Party President Xi Jinping on the phone on Feb. 10, and while we expect more opportunities for contact, there are no details of a final decision or confirmation at this Time.”
Pressed by reporters, how does the Biden Administration plan to engage with the Chinese and is direct talks between leaders being considered? Psaki first asked rhetorically whether the question was asking about direct talks with the Chinese; after receiving an affirmative answer, she said, “President Biden has talked to President Xi. So we are still in direct contact, through a series of levels of direct contact, and that will continue.”
The reporter went on to ask whether an event like the leaders’ summit was being considered. Psaki replied, “I can’t predict the summit. Certainly, in the months and years ahead, President Biden and his national security team will have a series of engagements with China and other countries in the region, and we’ll be in direct contact. Through those contacts, we’re already talking to the Chinese about a range of topics. We’re not going to shy away from our concerns, but we’re also looking for opportunities for cooperation.”
Yang Jiechi and U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken had their first call on Feb. 6, but the two sides made completely different statements.
A press release issued by the State Department said Blinken emphasized during the call that the U.S. would continue to defend human rights and democratic values in places including Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong. A report by Xinhua, the official media of the Communist Party of China, did not mention this part, but said that Yang Jiechi said that matters related to Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet are China’s internal affairs and cannot be interfered with by any outside forces.
The statement covered five topics: human rights in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong, the military coup in Myanmar, security in Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region, the international system, and the development of Sino-US relations. However, each side said its own thing and there was no consensus.
The White House announced Tuesday that President Biden will meet Friday (12) with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Morrison for a Quadripartite Security Dialogue (Quad), the first time a quadripartite meeting has been held at the level of national leaders to discuss strategies for the Indo-Pacific region.
President Biden views this meeting as one of his earliest multilateral events, demonstrating the importance we place on working closely with our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region,” Psaki said. We expect to discuss a range of issues, including the threat of the new coronavirus (COVID-19, a Chinese communist virus) facing the global community, economic cooperation and, of course, the climate crisis.”
Wang Yi again lashed out at the United States while attending the annual meeting of the National People’s Congress on Sunday (7) and warned the Biden administration not to criticize the Chinese Communist Party’s human rights and not to “cross the line” or “play with fire” on the Taiwan issue.
Our position on Taiwan has always been clear: We stand with our friends and allies to promote shared prosperity, security and values in the Indo-Pacific region,” Psaki said at a White House press conference on Monday. We stand by our long-standing commitments, such as the three communiqués, the Taiwan Relations Act and the six pledges.”
“We will also continue to assist Taiwan in maintaining adequate self-defense capabilities, and our position remains unchanged.” Psaki added.
Meanwhile, Wang asserted that the Communist Party of China is willing to work with the United States to address these common concerns of the coronavirus pandemic and the global economy. He said, “Hopefully, the resumption of U.S.-China cooperation on gas change will also bring positive ‘climate change’ to U.S.-China relations.”
Climate change is one of the key platforms of the Biden administration, and from the first day in office, several Biden administration cabinets have said they want to work with China on climate issues. U.S. Republicans have been warning Biden not to relent or concede on other key principles just because of supposed cooperation on climate change.
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