The two-day U.S.-China dialogue ended in Alaska with a U.S. statement saying it was “difficult and straightforward” as expected, and the Chinese delegation left the meeting without making any statements, but later Yang Jiechi told Xinhua that the two sides had had a constructive and useful dialogue, but acknowledged “serious differences. serious disagreements.”
The U.S.-China dialogue opened Thursday with a public confrontation in which the two sides exposed “serious and irreconcilable differences” in front of reporters, but President Biden said Friday he was “proud” of Secretary of State Blinken’s performance Thursday, which was followed by three rounds of closed-door talks. The talks are over.
With the talks now over, National Security Adviser John Sullivan told the press that, as expected, “the conversation was tough and straightforward. He said that despite the tense atmosphere, “we were able to have a very frank conversation on a number of agendas in the hours that have just passed.
The dialogue ended, as expected, without a joint statement, which was almost impossible given the heated confrontation on Thursday.
The Chinese delegation left the meeting without a word. But Xinhua news agency said early Saturday that Chinese chief Yang Jiechi said the first dialogue between China and the Biden Administration was frank, useful and constructive, despite significant differences.
The dialogue kicked off in Alaska on Thursday with a heated opening statement that amounted to mutual accusations. Both sides then traded accusations that the other had violated diplomatic protocol and stirred up trouble.
Blinken opened the meeting by accusing China of “threatening” “global stability,” sparking outrage from China’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi, who exposed the U.S. as “interfering in internal affairs.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Blinken said, “It was clear from the beginning that there were fundamental differences on many issues,” again referring to China’s massive crackdown on the Uighurs, what happened in Hong Kong, human rights issues in Tibet, Beijing‘s ongoing threats against Taiwan, and Beijing’s cyberattacks on the United States, among others. Blinken said, “It’s no surprise that when we raise issues and then invite self-defense from the other side.”
But he said, “We have overlapping interests when it comes to Iran, North Korea, Afghanistan and climate.” But, Blinken added, “on the economy, trade, technology, we tell the other side we are looking at the issues on a case-by-case basis” and “we will make decisions in a way that fully protects and promotes the interests of American workers and businesses.”
Sullivan, for his part, said the Biden administration continues to work with China “through normal diplomatic channels” in areas of mutual interest. “We were sober when we walked in and we’re still sober when we walk out,” he said.
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