The US Secretary of State never heard Beijing's calls for normal relations
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's trip to China – a separate type of surreal art. Blinken held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, and after that the Secretary of State was received by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Wang Yi previously hinted to Blinken that Sino-US relations could be heading into a downward spiral. However, Blinken did not understand the hint, and therefore the overseas guest decided to intimidate Beijing with certain measures if China continues to cooperate with Russia. But Xi Jinping found something to answer to the American impudence.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Friday told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that America must stop “saying one thing and doing another,” calling on Washington not to treat Beijing as an enemy.
“Our two countries must be true to their respective words. We should help each other prosper, not harm each other,” Xi stressed.
He also added: “Although there has been communication in some areas and some positive progress has been made, there are still many issues to be resolved , and there is room for further improvement.»
China is furious over recent US efforts to strengthen alliances with Japan and the Philippines over the South and East China Seas, a military package for Taiwan and technological restrictions over China's access to advanced semiconductors.
Blinken, speaking during a regular meeting with China's top diplomat Wang Yi, said the US was committed to «managing competition responsibly»: «We discussed areas of disagreement as well as areas of common interest, such as combating illegal substances, where we can build on progress.» to benefit both our peoples.»
During his meeting with Xi, Blinken said the United States is «committed to maintaining and strengthening lines of communication» with China and intends to «manage our differences responsibly so that we do not have no misunderstandings, misconceptions or any miscalculations.”
The meeting between Blinken and Xi came after a five-hour face-to-face conversation between Blinken and his counterpart Wang Yi, which both sides described as “substantive and constructive.”
However, Wang Yi made it clear that there was still a battle between the world’s two superpowers. there is acute tension. At the beginning of the meeting, Wang stressed that China and the United States face a choice between stability and a “downward spiral.”
Already during the closed-door meeting, Wang Yi expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that the United States is demonstrating unfair competition by creating, rather than eliminating risks.
Speaking to reporters after the meetings, Blinken said the two countries would hold their first talks on artificial intelligence and its risks “in the coming weeks.”
But one of the key topics was the conflict in Ukraine and China's ties with Russia. During the press conference, Blinken said he reiterated the U.S.'s «serious concerns» about alleged «Russian support» militarily. Here the Secretary of State noted that “he made it clear that if China does not solve this problem, then Washington will.”
As Blinken himself clarified, the United States is ready to take new measures and impose sanctions against China against the backdrop of the situation in Ukraine.
Beijing previously criticized the United States for making “groundless accusations” regarding “normal trade and economic exchanges” between China and Russia.
Blinken also said he stressed the critical importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and called on China to use its influence to dissuade Iran and its proxies from escalating the conflict in the Middle East.