In response to Beijing‘s desire to facilitate an April videoconference between President Biden and Chinese Communist Party President Xi Jinping, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sachs said today that there are no such discussions. She also reiterated that the U.S. side will touch on human rights, Hong Kong and regional military tensions, among other issues.
The Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported yesterday that Beijing will use the high-level U.S.-China diplomatic talks to facilitate a video summit between Biden and Xi on April 22, World Earth Day, when the world holds a conference on climate change.
Asked about this at a regular press conference today, Jen Psaki said the climate summit is just over a month away and more events are expected to be held with many participants, but bilateral meetings are not currently under discussion. She also would not say much about whether conditions would be set for bilateral talks between Biden and Xi.
When asked about the matter yesterday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry also said that the topic of a possible meeting between Xi and Biden was not on the agenda for high-level U.S.-China talks in Anchorage, Alaska.
However, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Zhao Lijian noted in a regular press briefing that during the high-level dialogue, the two sides can exchange views on any topic of mutual interest, including issues related to high-level contacts.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will meet later today in Anchorage, Alaska, with Yang Jiechi, Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
The meeting is the first face-to-face meeting between the two sides since Biden took office on January 20.
Asked about possible developments between the U.S. and China after the meeting, Sharkey said the U.S. side expects some of the talks to be difficult, but will still be forthright in raising issues of concern, including human rights, Hong Kong, technology related to intellectual property theft and information protection, and regional military tensions.
She also reiterated that the talks provide an opportunity to address a wide range of issues, including those on which there are serious differences, with a focus on frank discussions, raising U.S. concerns and seeking ways and projects that can work together.
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