Even as Biden was allowed to begin his transition, something was quietly changing between the U.S. and China, and China began to send out goodwill signals. The Chinese president sent a congratulatory message to Biden; Fu Ying, currently director of the Center for Strategic and Security Studies at Tsinghua University, wrote to the U.S. media, offering cooperation to the Biden administration; and China, Japan, China, and South Korea reached a consensus on the occasion of Biden’s accession to power. These signals were, of course, noticed by Washington, and the sudden cancellation of EPA Administrator Wheeler’s visit to Taiwan, originally planned for December 5, sparked speculation. It is unclear whether there will be a turnaround in U.S.-China relations in the future, but at least for now there are positive signals.
Three Signals of Goodwill from China
I. The President sends a congratulatory message to Biden.
On November 25, President Xi Jinping called Joe Biden to congratulate him on his election as President of the United States, according to Xinhua news agency.
In his congratulatory message, Xi pointed out that promoting the healthy and stable development of China-U.S. relations is not only in the fundamental interests of the two peoples, but is also the common expectation of the international community. I hope both sides will adhere to the spirit of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation, focus on cooperation, manage differences, promote the healthy and stable development of U.S.-China relations, and join hands with other countries and the international community to advance the noble cause of world peace and development.
On the same day, Vice President Wang Qishan called Kamala Devi Harris to congratulate her on her election as Vice President of the United States.
On November 13, China’s Foreign Ministry congratulated Biden, saying that it respected the choice of the American people and understood that the outcome of the election would be determined in accordance with U.S. law and procedures.
Leaders of countries that have still not congratulated Biden include Russian leader Vladimir Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, and Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro.
Fu Ying writes to U.S. media
On the day the U.S. officially announced the start of the transfer of power, Fu Ying, former Chinese Vice Foreign Minister and now Director of the Center for Strategic and Security Studies at Tsinghua University, wrote a letter to the New York Times explaining that a cooperative-competitive relationship between China and the United States is possible. The article was considered to be representative of China’s position.
The article is divided into three parts: first, it sets the tone for rebuilding relations between China and the U.S.; second, it reviews the causes of the current U.S.-China conflict and proposes means of de-escalation; and third, it proposes room for future cooperation.
For example, she questions, “Does the U.S. want to help Taiwan achieve ‘independence,’ does it want to take sides in the South China Sea dispute, and does it want to bully China like the imperialists did in the past?
However, Fu Ying also proposed a program of U.S.-China cooperation, noting that the most pressing need is cooperation in the fight against the neo-crowning epidemic. If the two countries can work together to increase the availability and affordability of vaccines worldwide, the world will benefit.
According to Kathleen Kingsbury, executive editor of the New York Times editorial page, “This is an extremely important idea – it requires multilateral cooperation, and Biden and his team seem committed to it.
Kathleen Kingsbury also noted that the article, the only official Chinese statement on Joe Biden’s presidency to date, goes beyond the usual platitudes. There is no denying that U.S.-China relations have been damaged over the past four years. The article is laying out the terms on which it plans to work with the new Biden administration.
III. Reaching Consensus with Key U.S. Allies
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Japan and South Korea from November 24, according to reports, China and Japan reached a five-point consensus and six specific outcomes, China and South Korea will also launch an important dialogue with China to exchange views on deepening the strategic partnership between the two countries ahead of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2022.
Generally speaking, before and after the transfer of power to the U.S. presidency, there will be a quiet period in diplomacy, during which a smooth transition is the first demand, especially when there is a change of power between the two parties and other parties need new confirmation of some U.S. policies. It is the norm not to move until the U.S. has made up its mind. But China did not take the usual path.
Among the six points reached by China and Japan, there are matters of common understanding, including the launch this month of a fast track for necessary personnel exchanges between the two countries, the establishment of a cross-sectoral consultation mechanism for Sino-Japanese cooperation on food, agriculture and aquatic products, the establishment of a consultation mechanism on climate change policy between the two countries, and the launch of preparations for the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan in 2022. There are also military-related very important progress, including a new round of Sino-Japanese high-level consultations on maritime affairs next month, for the year to open the two countries’ defense departments of the sea and air contact mechanism direct telephone.
In particular, Japan has just recently confirmed with Biden that U.S. forces will assist in the defense of the Diaoyu Islands, a commitment that the Trump administration has made to Japan. Now the consultation with China on maritime affairs and the opening of a direct telephone line between the two countries’ air and sea liaison mechanism are actively building a problem-solving mechanism with China.
According to some analysts, China is well aware that Biden will join forces with its allies to form a front against China once he comes to power. Instead of waiting for Biden to make a move, China began to take the initiative while the transition process between Biden and Trump was underway.
In addition, the official website of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the two countries discussed U.S.-China relations. The Sino-Japanese communication on U.S.-China relations is of special significance as Biden comes to power.
New Developments in Washington’s Attitude Toward China
In addition, there were some new developments in Washington, D.C., as Major General Stallman, chief of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s J2 Intelligence Division, completed a secret itinerary and left Taipei on a special flight Tuesday night (24). Within hours, EPA Administrator Wheeler, who was scheduled to visit Taiwan next month, suddenly postponed the trip, citing domestic affairs as the reason.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Ou Chiang-an said he felt sorry, but respected the decision.
EPA spokesman Hewitt said that Wheeler had to prioritize domestic affairs and therefore postponed his visit to Taiwan. Some say it was due to pressure and criticism over earlier revelations that Wheeler’s visit to Taiwan would cost nearly $300,000, while others speculate that the change in itinerary was due to a U-turn in Trump’s or Biden’s attitude toward China.
On November 23, he announced his cabinet picks, including Antony Blinken as Secretary of State, perhaps reflecting Biden’s attitude toward China. It is believed that Blinken is a moderate who is tough on China, and that Blinken generally wants to continue the Obama era of “fighting but not breaking” between China and the U.S., taking the overall situation of China and the U.S. as a priority, and adjusting his position at any time while being tough.
It is unclear whether the U.S.-China relationship will see a turnaround after January 20 next year, but there seems to be some positive signals coming out now.
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