2023-06-20 05:04:45
Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) and US Secretary of State Tony Blincoln meet and shake hands at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China on the 19th, appearing on a monitor in a shopping street in Beijing. Beijing/AFP Yonhap News
“We are on the right track here and now. He (US Secretary of State Tony Blincoln) did a great job.” US President Joe Biden responded to reporters’ questions about US-China relations during a visit to Santa Clara, California on the 19th (local time). When asked if there was progress in the relationship between the two countries, he said, “As you know, progress has been made.” “You don’t have to ask questions like that. I have to ask how much progress has been made.” President Biden’s reaction seems to have emphasized that the United States and China are back on track for dialogue as Secretary Blincoln, who visited China, met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who was not scheduled for the day. On a two-day visit to China on the 18th and 19th, Minister Blincoln visited both President Xi and Wang Yi, the 1st and 2nd ranks in Chinese diplomacy, a member of the Communist Party’s Central Political Bureau (head of the Central Foreign Affairs Office) and Minister of Foreign Affairs Qin Gang. met. Although the two countries repeatedly confirmed the difference in their strong stance on key issues such as the semiconductor issue and the Taiwan issue, it is evaluated that the decision to manage risks through dialogue between the US and China, which are engaged in strategic competition for the fate of the nations, is a significant step forward. comes out Minister Blincoln’s visit to China was difficult from the beginning. It was originally promoted in early February, but was canceled when a Chinese high-altitude balloon was discovered in US airspace. However, the U.S. actively pushed ahead and the first visit by a U.S. Secretary of State to China in five years took place. It reflected the will of US President Biden that a communication channel between the two countries is needed to manage the crisis even if the policy of pressure on China is implemented. China showed a passive attitude of opening the door after confirming the US intention to the end with a lukewarm attitude. It seems that dialogue with the United States was less urgent for President Xi, who secured a stable five-year term last year and has recently made surprising achievements in the Middle East. The meeting between President Xi and Minister Blincoln was also announced an hour before the actual meeting, and President Xi sat alone in the middle with two long tables on either side, and Minister Blincoln and other American parties sat on one side. It seemed that President Xi was sitting at the head of the table and presiding over the meeting, but it was different from the appearance of President Xi and US Secretary of State sitting face to face during the visits of John Kerry in 2013 and Secretary Rex Tillerson in 2017 to China. Although it went through twists and turns, Minister Blincoln met with Foreign Minister Qin Gang (Minister) and Central Political Bureau member Wang Yi, as well as President Xi, and in the process, the two countries reached an agreement to continue future dialogue. In other words, President Biden’s initial goal of ‘opening a dialogue channel to reduce misjudgments’ was achieved. As the two leaders’ willingness to talk is confirmed, attention is focused on when the two will have a direct conversation. The G20 summit to be held in New Delhi, India in September and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in San Francisco, USA in November are discussed. In particular, 2017 was the last time President Xi visited the United States, and a tug-of-war between the two countries is expected over Xi’s participation in the APEC meeting in November. Regarding the results of this visit to China, some point out that major issues between the US and China have not been resolved at all. It is said that there was no agreement on the military field, and a large difference in positions was confirmed on key issues between the two countries, such as the semiconductor issue and the Taiwan issue. In particular, Commissioner Wang Yi met with Minister Blincoln on the 19th and poured out complaints about semiconductor issues and public sanctions, and President Xi also bitterly said, “The United States must respect China.” Secretary Blincoln also said at a press conference held at the US Embassy in China on the evening of the 19th that he mentioned the importance of stabilizing the Taiwan Strait, the Chinese government’s human rights violations, and the risk-free policy. However, this seems inevitable in a situation where the US and China are engaged in a strategic competition for the fate of their countries. In a matter where the core interests of both countries are at stake, it is difficult to come up with dramatic concessions or breakthroughs from either side amidst a breakdown in dialogue. Explaining the outcome of the meeting on the 19th, White House spokeswoman Karin Jean-Pierre said, “We will compete fiercely with China, but we will manage the competition responsibly so that it does not escalate into conflict.” China also emphasizes coexistence with the United States. President Xi said at a meeting with Minister Blincoln, “The earth is wide enough for China and the United States to develop and prosper together.” Beijing/Choi Hyun-joon Correspondent haojune@hani.co.kr
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