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Chinese Foreign Minister Chen Gang told his US counterpart, Anthony Blinken, that relations between their two countries are facing new difficulties, and that “who is responsible for that is clear.” The call between the two ministers came days before an expected visit by Blinken to China, the first by a US secretary of state in 5 years.
The Chinese foreign minister said that his country has always handled bilateral relations in accordance with the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and cooperation.
Chen clarified China’s official stance and core concerns on the Taiwan issue, stressing that the United States “should heed these concerns, stop interfering in China’s internal affairs and undermining its sovereignty, security and development interests in the name of competition.”
The Chinese foreign minister also expressed to his US counterpart Beijing’s hope that Washington would take practical measures to implement US commitments to China, calling for joint action to manage differences and enhance exchanges between the two countries, according to state media.
Al-Jazeera’s correspondent in Beijing, Ju EE, said that Chinese media reported that the Chinese minister focused – during the phone call with his American counterpart – on the Taiwan file, which has increased tensions between Beijing and Washington in the past few months, as China complains of US interference in its affairs. internal affairs, including the Taiwan and human rights files.
On the other hand, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that he discussed with his Chinese counterpart “the ongoing efforts to keep communication channels open and bilateral and global issues.”
The US secretary stressed the need to keep communication channels open to manage relations responsibly between Washington and Beijing to avoid miscalculations and conflicts.
A statement by US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Secretary Blinken told his Chinese counterpart “clearly, the United States will continue to use its diplomatic commitments to raise issues of concern.”
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs is scheduled to announce the details of Blinken’s visit to China, while a US official said last Friday that Blinken will be in Beijing on June 18, without giving further details.
Blinken canceled a scheduled visit to Beijing last February, which was planned to be the first visit by a US Secretary of State to China in 5 years, due to a suspected Chinese spy balloon that flew over the US sky.
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