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Time for a reset in US-China relations, Foreign Minister Wang Yi says
- Top Chinese diplomat calls for resumption of dialogue after months of growing hostility during video discussion with US-China Business Council
- But according to analysts, it’s not realistic to expect a reboot of the relationship any time soon
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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on Monday for Beijing and Washington to resume dialogue to reset ties between the major powers after months of increasing hostility, ahead of the incoming US administration under US President-elect Joe Biden.
Speaking during a video dialogue with the board of the US-China Business Council (USCBC), Wang gave suggestions to improve the countries’ tumultuous ties, including strengthening communication at all levels and expanding areas of cooperation – such as getting the coronavirus pandemic under control.
The USCBC represents American companies that do business in China and seeks to promote bilateral trade.
“The most urgent task currently is for the two sides to work together to remove all sorts of barriers to achieve a smooth transition in China-US relations,” Wang said, according to a brief on the Chinese foreign ministry’s website.
“At the same time, based on the direction of mutual benefits for our two peoples and countries, we need to strive to restart dialogue, return to the right track and rebuild trust in this next phase of relations.”
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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi puts forward 5 proposals for more stable China-US ties
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi puts forward 5 proposals for more stable China-US ties
Biden is set to assume the presidency on January 20, succeeding US President Donald Trump, whose administration has been known for its particularly hawkish China policy – including international lobbying against Chinese telecoms giant Huawei Technologies, launching a trade war with China, and sanctioning Chinese officials over human rights abuses in Xinjiang.
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