Attempt by Washington to pressure Beijing ahead of meeting called 'futile' Washington's attempt to roll out "microphone diplomacy", align with
allies and pressure Beijing ahead of the China-US high-level strategic
dialogue "is futile" and "will make no difference", Beijing warned on
Thursday. Still, China is ready to embark on adequate communication and an
exchange of views with the US to push for their ties' healthy growth,
Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a news conference on
Thursday. Zhao made the comment as senior diplomats of the world's top two
economies arrived in Anchorage, Alaska, on Thursday for the meeting
scheduled on Thursday and Friday. The Chinese side is led by Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political
Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of
the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central
Committee as well as State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan represent Washington. Ahead of this key meeting, the US kept pressuring China during its
senior officials' recent visits to Japan and the Republic of Korea, and
it announced an update of sanctions on China regarding the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region. At the Thursday news conference in Beijing, Zhao, the spokesman, said
that Washington recently came up with a slew of negative words and
deeds regarding China ahead of the dialogue, and "the timing is
curious". All the agenda items eligible for discussion are on the table, and
during the dialogue, Beijing will make clear its position and concerns,
he said, reiterating China's strong will to champion core interests. "The US should realize China's firm determination to safeguard its
own sovereignty, security and development interests," he said. Joint efforts will decide whether the meeting will yield outcomes or
not, and the US should work for the same goal with sincerity and a
constructive approach, Zhao said. Chinese Ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai told Chinese media on Wednesday that both sides attach great importance to the meeting. "We don't expect to solve all problems in one dialogue, so we don't have unrealistic expectations or illusions," Cui said. "We hope this can be a beginning, and the two sides will start a
process of honest, constructive and rational dialogue and communication.
If this can be achieved, the dialogue will already be successful," he
added. In response to recent US moves aiming to win over allies in order to
gain a "dominant position" in this dialogue with China, Cui, the
ambassador, said, "Just like someone who walks at night alone will sing
to help increase courage, but it is not of much use. If you have issues
to talk about with China, do it face to face." He said there are several big question marks in the minds of the
global community, including whether the US can truly play the role of a
responsible stakeholder in international affairs, whether it is really
ready to return to multilateral cooperation, and whether it is willing
to respect interests of other countries and listen to the voices of
other countries. "Many countries, including US allies, have such questions. Some just
don't say it in public. It is hoped that the US will understand other
countries' concerns," he added. Commenting on Washington's alleged plan to push Beijing for
concession on topics such as Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Taiwan during the
dialogue, Cui said the US "should give up this illusion, as this
attitude will only lead the dialogue to a dead end". "If someone thinks that China came to snowy Alaska with sincerity
this time to make compromise and concession, then I would suggest that
my colleagues in Beijing cancel this trip as soon as possible. Why
bother to come here?" Cui added. Jia Qingguo, director of Institute for Global Cooperation and
Understanding of Peking University, said resuming high-level contacts
and exchanges is a key precondition for stabilizing China-US ties and
prevent further deterioration of the ties, and it is already significant
for senior officials to sit at the same table to talk on various issues
they face. Although it is seen as unlikely that the two sides will agree on a
comprehensive plan for massive cooperation through this dialogue, "the
discussion itself lays a foundation for managing differences", Jia said.
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