Wang Yi meets Blinken in Laos, urges stabilization and improvement of China-US relations

The US persists in a mistaken perception of China, often viewing China through the lens of its own hegemonic logic. China is not the US and does not aspire to become the US, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Laos on Saturday. 

"China does not seek hegemony or power politics and has the best record among major powers on peace and security issues," Wang said. He warned that the risks facing China-US relations are still accumulating, and challenges are on the rise. 

"The bilateral relationship is at a critical juncture where it needs to be stabilized and improved, requiring continuous adjustment of direction, risk management, proper handling of differences, elimination of interference and promotion of cooperation," he said.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Blinken in Vientiane at the latter's request. The two sides exchanged views on China-US relations and agreed to maintain communication at all levels and further implement the important consensus reached during the heads of state meeting in San Francisco.

During the meeting, he emphasized the importance for the US to understand the CPC and China's present and future as well as the CPC's aspiration to seek happiness for the people and rejuvenation for the nation while adhering to the path of peaceful development. 

Over the past three months, the two sides have maintained communication through diplomatic, financial, law enforcement, and climate change teams, as well as military channels, and people-to-people exchanges have also been increasing, Wang said. However, it must be pointed out that the US has not ceased its containment and suppression of China and has even intensified these actions in some cases. 

Wang said  that China's policy toward the US remains consistent, adhering to mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation. He urged the US to return to a rational and pragmatic policy toward China. "Both sides should work together to promote stable, healthy, and sustainable development of China-US relations," he said. 

Blinken said that the US is actively committed to stabilizing US-China relations and adheres to the one-China policy. The US looks forward to maintaining regular communication with China and continuing cooperation on issues such as drug control and artificial intelligence. The US is willing to manage differences, avoid misunderstandings and misjudgments.

Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Saturday that Wang's remarks "once again demonstrate to the US that China is responsibly managing China-US relations and hopes to develop them in a direction of cooperation and mutual benefit. The statements are highly responsible, forward-looking, and constructive."

Regarding the Taiwan question, Wang stated that Taiwan is part of China and will never be a country, neither in the past nor in the future. "Taiwan independence" and peace in the Taiwan Straits are incompatible. Every provocation by "Taiwan independence" forces will be met with countermeasures, he warned.

Wang elaborated on the rights and wrongs relating to the Ren'ai Jiao issue, pointing out that China has reached a temporary arrangement with the Philippines to manage the situation. The Philippines should keep its word and stop transporting construction materials, and the US should stop fanning the flames, disrupting, and undermining maritime stability, he said.

Li told the Global Times that the main risk in current China-US relations lies in the US' inability to tolerate China's rise in comprehensive strength and international influence. 

"This does not conform to the US' tradition of maintaining its own advantage and certainly not to its hegemonic mindset and tradition. Another critical issue is the US' strong tendency to blame China for its internal problems, viewed as 'curing internal issues with external measures,'" he said.

"Additionally, the US attributes its declining global influence to China. This is extremely dangerous and deserves condemnation. Therefore, in Wang's exchange with Blinken, he frankly pointed out these issues. This candor could help the US reflect and possibly make adjustments. If the US fails to reflect and continues the wrong path, it won't solve its problems, and maintaining international order and security will also be problematic," Li said.

Wang pointed out that China's position on the Ukraine issue is open and honest, adding that China will continue to promote peace talks. The US should stop the excessive use of unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction. 

"China opposes smearing and framing, does not accept coercion or blackmail, and will take resolute and forceful measures to safeguard its major interests and legitimate rights," Wang said.

Li noted that the US not only fails to reflect on, but also flaunts its power and insists on a zero-sum mindset of winning and losing in the war in the Ukraine issue. 

"The US should have the courage to take responsibility and not shift the blame for its responsibilities and failures in the Ukraine crisis onto China."