Chinese FM calls for sound, steady, sustainable development of China-U.S. ties

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday called for the sound, steady and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

During the meeting, which was held at the request of Blinken, the two sides had candid, substantive and constructive discussions.

Wang said the two heads of state had a successful meeting at the end of last year, where they exchanged in-depth views on strategic, overall and directional issues related to China-U.S. relations and reached an important consensus.

He said the most important task for both sides currently is to follow the strategic guidance of the two heads of state to turn the "San Francisco vision" into a reality, so as to promote the sound, steady and sustainable development of bilateral relations.

To that end, both sides should uphold the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, and actively explore the right way for two major countries to get along with each other, he said, adding that the U.S. side should view China's development objectively and rationally, pursue a positive and pragmatic policy towards China, and implement the U.S. president's commitments into concrete actions.

There is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China's territory, which is the true status quo of the Taiwan question, he said, adding that those trying to change the status quo are the "Taiwan independence" separatists with the connivance and support of external forces.

If the U.S. genuinely hopes for stability across the Taiwan Straits, it should abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, and carry out its statement of not supporting "Taiwan independence," he said.

Wang said that the pursuit of turning "de-risking" into "de-sinicization," building "small yard, high fence" and "decoupling from China" will eventually backfire on the United States. He called on Washington to lift illegal unilateral sanctions against Chinese companies and individuals and not undermine China's legitimate rights to develop.

The two sides exchanged views on carrying out people-to-people exchanges, and on facilitating personnel exchanges. Wang urged the U.S. side to stop unwarranted harassment and interrogation of Chinese citizens and promote activities that enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples.

The two sides discussed exchanges at all levels between the two countries in the next stage and agreed to maintain dialogue and communication in various fields.

Speaking highly of the work of the China-U.S. counter-narcotics cooperation working group, the two diplomats expressed the hope that the coming high-level meeting between the law enforcement departments of the two countries will achieve positive results.

In addition, they agreed to continue to promote dialogue and consultation on foreign policy, Asia-Pacific affairs, maritime affairs and artificial intelligence, and maintain communication between the two militaries.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukrainian crisis, the Palestine-Israel conflict, the Korean Peninsula and other regional hot spot issues, and agreed to maintain contact between the two sides' special envoys for Peninsula affairs. 

(With input from Xinhua)

(Cover: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) meets with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, February 16, 2024. /CGTN)