[Compiled/Observer.com Chen Sijia] On March 14th local time, Yang Jiechi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, met with Assistant to the National Security Affairs Office of the US President Sullivan in Rome, Italy. Foreign media commented that the seven-hour "hard" discussion reflects the "level of tension" of the current situation.
Against the backdrop of tension in Sino-US relations and the continued conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Sullivan clearly informed China during the talks about the Biden administration’s concerns about the so-called “China-Russia alliance.”
In this regard, Yang Jiechi clearly elaborated on China's position and emphasized that China is committed to persuading peace and promoting talks. The international community should jointly support the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine and promote the situation to cool down as soon as possible. He also stressed that China firmly opposes any words and deeds that spread false information and distort and discredit China's position.
At the same time, foreign media also noticed that although China and the United States still have differences on the Ukraine issue and have not reached any effective results, the two sides agreed that the meeting was "substantive" and "constructive". This relatively modest tone shows that China and the United States may still retain diplomatic space for potential further communication.
picture from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website
US media: White House Worries about the "China-Russia alliance"
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine is one of the core issues of this meeting. Previously, US government officials and Western media hyped the so-called "Russia requests assistance from China". Although both China and Russia have denied the false news, during the talks on the 14th, Sullivan raised this issue again, claiming that "the aid to Russia will cost China a high price."
Western media have focused their attention on Sullivan's statement.
AP pointed out that the Biden administration has been worried that China will provide assistance to Russia, and White House officials believe that China's cooperation with Russia will promote China's international influence in the long run. Therefore, at the meeting in Rome , Sullivan clearly informed China of the Biden administration's concerns about the so-called "China-Russia alliance."
Reuters also mentioned this point, believing that the United States is very worried about the possibility of a "China-Russia alliance". The report quoted a senior U.S. government official as saying that the seven-hour meeting was very "severe" and reflected the "severity" of the coronavirus.
Ryan Hass, a researcher at the Brookings Institution, an American think tank, believes that if China "provides support" to Russia, it will greatly narrow the "path to maintain non-hostile relations" with the West, and it is unlikely to change the trajectory of conflict. But as the largest trading partner of the EU and the largest commodity supplier of the United States, any pressure on China's trade may shake the Western economy.
UK Reuters said the United States expressed concerns about the "China-Russia alliance" during the "fever" talks
U.S. consumer news and business channel (CNBC) quoted a senior US defense official as saying that in the US, "if China does choose to provide substantial support to Russia in the war, then this may have an impact on China."
U.S. Treasury Deputy Secretary Adeyemo told CNBC that he did not see evidence of China providing assistance to Russia. "The Chinese government and financial institutions are very cautious, and we have no evidence to show that China's sanctions against us have provided assistance to Russia."
In response to the situation in Ukraine, Yang Jiechi has clearly stated China's position in his meeting with Sullivan.
Yang Jiechi said that the situation in Ukraine has reached this point today, which China does not want to see. China has always advocated respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries and abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. China is committed to persuading peace and promoting talks. The international community should jointly support the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, achieve substantial results as soon as possible, and promote the situation to cool down as soon as possible. All parties should maintain maximum restraint, protect civilians, and prevent large-scale humanitarian crises. China has provided emergency humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and will continue to make its own efforts to do so.
He stressed that the historical period and ins and outs of the Ukrainian issue should be straightened out, traced the origins, and responded to reasonable concerns of all parties.Focusing on the long-term, we actively advocate a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept, encourage relevant parties to carry out equal dialogue, and seek to build a balanced, effective and sustainable European security mechanism in accordance with the principle of security inseparableness, and maintain European and world peace.
Yang Jiechi stressed that China firmly opposes any words and deeds that spread false information and distort and smear China's position.
Analysts: It may reserve space for further communication
US Bloomberg noticed that both the United States and China gave high evaluations of the talks. The White House described it as a "substantive discussion", while China said it was a "constructive talks." However, American analysts believe that considering that the Russian-Ukrainian issue may become a "potential turning point" in Sino-US relations, the talks may not achieve specific results.
American political risk consulting firm Eurasian Group analysts are cautious about this. They analyzed to Bloomberg that a conversation that lacks practical results may not be good news, but the relatively moderate tone also shows that "China and the United States may reserve diplomatic space for further communication."
However, Bloomberg also pointed out that although the White House is not satisfied with China's position on the Ukraine issue, the Biden administration has always maintained a "careful" attitude on this issue.
AFP noticed that the White House mentioned in a brief statement on the meeting that China and the United States emphasized the "importance of maintaining open communication channels between the United States and China." "We believe it is important to maintain open communication channels between the United States and China, especially in areas where we have differences." The talks reflect the tension in the current situation, so "frank and direct exchange of opinions is crucial."
Fudan UniversityChina-US relations expert Ren Xiao told Hong Kong's English media "South China Morning Post " that he believes that China and the United States will work hard to control the impact of the Ukraine issue on bilateral relations, but China's policy on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is also very clear and may continue, that is, China will not join Western sanctions.
Chinese Academy of Social Sciences American expert Lu Xiang (transliteration), told the newspaper that the talks themselves also conveyed an optimistic message, "As you can see from the statement released this time, it did not mention that 'China agreed to the meeting at the invitation of the United States', and vice versa. This means that China has a certain degree of initiative in communication."
However, the South China Morning Post commented that the US side tried to put pressure on China on the Ukraine issue and threatened that "supporting Russia" would have "serious consequences", which may also inject more distrust into the already tense relationship between China and the United States.
The Quincy Institute for Governance Strategy of the United States think tank issued an article on the 14th saying that the United States should not miss the current opportunity to improve relations with China. The agency believes that although China is reluctant to join the West to sanction Russia, China has been urging all parties to end the conflict through negotiations. For the United States, "the greatest opportunity to succeed is to pursue a positive agenda, rather than pretending to try to split Beijing and Moscow."
Regarding the issue of Sino-US relations, Yang Jiechi clearly mentioned during the meeting that implementing the consensus of the two heads of state is the most important task of Sino-US relations. Biden President Biden responded positively, making important commitments such as not seeking a new Cold War, not seeking to change China's system, not seeking to oppose China through strengthening alliance relations, not supporting "Taiwan independence", and not intending to confront China. China has always viewed and handled Sino-US relations in accordance with the three principles proposed by President Xi Jinping.
Yang Jiechi said that he hopes the US side will implement the promises made by President Biden. Under the current international situation, it is in line with the interests of the people of China and the United States, and the expectations of the international community and the people of the world.
China requires the US to recognize the high sensitivity of the Taiwan issue
The United States has repeatedly manipulated the Taiwan issue recently. Former U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo , former U.S. military participating association Chairman Mullen and other politicians have successively visited Taiwan. US Assistant Secretary of Defense Carlin and Assistant Secretary of State Lewis also used the Russian-Ukrainian conflict to disrupt the Taiwan issue and advocated that the United States help the Taiwan region establish "asymmetric military capabilities." Media from Taiwan, including
" United News Network ", noticed that Yang Jiechi clearly stated the mainland's attitude towards the Taiwan issue during the meeting, so Taiwan media also described the Taiwan issue as one of the "core issues" of this meeting.
According to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yang Jiechi emphasized that the Taiwan issue concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. In the three joint communiqués of China and the United States, the United States clearly acknowledged that there is only one China. The one-China principle is the prerequisite for China and the United States to establish diplomatic relations and the political basis of China-US relations.
This U.S. government made a commitment to uphold the one-China policy and not support "Taiwan independence" on the Taiwan issue, but its actions are obviously inconsistent with its statements. China expresses serious concern and firm opposition to the recent series of wrong words and deeds of the United States on Taiwan-related issues.
"Any attempt to condone and support the separatist forces of "Taiwan independence" and attempt to play the "Taiwan card" and "use Taiwan to control China" will not succeed. China requires the US to recognize the high sensitivity of the Taiwan issue, abide by the one-China principle, , the three joint communiqués of China and the commitments made by the US, and not go further and further on a very dangerous road." Yang Jiechi said.
In addition, Yang Jiechi also explained China's solemn position on issues such as Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong, pointing out that these issues involve China's core interests and are China's internal affairs and cannot be interfered with by external forces. Any attempt to suppress China will be defeated. He pointed out that insisting on seeking common ground while reserving differences and building a bridge of cooperation on proper disagreement is the correct way for China and the United States to get along with each other in the 50 years since the publication of the " Shanghai Communiqué ". Both sides should learn from history, grasp the premise of mutual respect, adhere to the bottom line of peaceful coexistence, and grasp the key to win-win cooperation.
South Korean media: China and the United States agree to continue discussing the North Korean nuclear issue
South Korean media focused on the views of China and the United States on the North Korean nuclear issue. Yonhap News Agency html citing "officials who did not want to be named" on the 214th that China and the United States expressed concern about North Korea's recent missile activities, while Sullivan explained to China the measures the US believes are necessary and the actions it hopes China will take.
Yonhap News Agency report screenshot
Yonhap News Agency statistics say that since the beginning of this year, North Korea has conducted 9 missile tests. The United States claims that North Korea launched missiles twice on February 27 and March 5 local time in order to conduct "new intercontinental ballistic missile tests."
White House spokesman Psaki said that North Korea's recent trials are much "low-key" than before. The United States has decided to actively disclose relevant trial information and share relevant information with its allies and partners. But Psaki also said she would not make any predictions about the future development.
According to senior officials obtained by Yonhap News Agency, China and the United States agreed to continue discussing the North Korean issue and further discuss measures against related issues.
US Bloomberg quoted US government officials as saying that the North Korean issue needs joint attention between China and the United States. Considering that South Korea is undergoing a presidential change process, if North Korea continues to test-fire missiles this week, it may be regarded as a so-called "provocative act."
Regarding the situation on the Korean Peninsula, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying once said that maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and resolving the problems through dialogue and consultation is in line with the common interests of all parties concerned and in line with the general expectations of the international community. We have also always called on relevant parties to move forward and work together to continue the easing situation on the peninsula, promote the political settlement process of the peninsula issue, and make positive efforts to achieve long-term stability on the peninsula and the region.
This article is an exclusive article of Observer.com and may not be reproduced without authorization.
