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Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang had “candid, in-depth, and constructive” talks with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Beijing on Sunday (China: Zh/En; U.S.: En). But there is no meeting between President Xi Jinping and Blinken. When arrived at the airport yesterday afternoon, Blinken was greeted only by U.S. Ambassador Nicholas Burns and Yang Tao, the director of the North America and Oceania Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As the Foreign Ministry implied, China did not invite the State Secretary. As expected by many, the talks ended with no breakthrough.
Qin took a tough stance. He urged the U.S. to adjust its perception of China, reiterating China’s redline regarding Taiwan:
秦刚表示，当前，中美关系处在建交以来的最低谷，这不符合两国人民根本利益，也不符合国际社会共同期待。中方对美政策始终保持连续性和稳定性，根本遵循是习近平主席提出的相互尊重、和平共处、合作共赢原则，这也应该是双方共同坚持的精神、共同守住的底线、共同追求的目标。中方致力于构建稳定、可预期、建设性的中美关系。希望美方秉持客观理性的对华认知，与中方相向而行，维护好中美关系的政治基础，冷静、专业、理性处理意外偶发事件。双方应不折不扣落实习近平主席和拜登总统巴厘岛会晤共识，推动中美关系止跌企稳，重回正轨。
Qin pointed out that the China-U.S. relationship is at the lowest point since its establishment. This does not serve the fundamental interests of the two peoples or meet the shared expectations of the international community. China’s policy toward the U.S. remains consistent and stable. It is fundamentally guided by the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation put forward by President Xi Jinping. These principles should also be the spirit jointly upheld, the red line jointly defended and the goal jointly pursued by both sides. China is committed to building a stable, predictable and constructive relationship with the U.S. China hopes that the U.S. will adopt an objective and rational perception of China, work with China in the same direction, uphold the political foundation of China-U.S. relations, and handle unexpected and sporadic events in a calm, professional and rational manner. The two sides should deliver on the common understandings reached by President Xi and President Biden in Bali in letter and spirit, and work to stabilize and steer the relations back to the right track.
秦刚就台湾问题等中方核心利益和重大关切阐明严正立场，提出明确要求。秦刚指出，台湾问题是中国核心利益中的核心，是中美关系最重大的问题，也是最突出的风险，中方敦促美方恪守一个中国原则和中美三个联合公报，将不支持“台独”的承诺真正落到实处。
Qin expounded on China’s firm position and raised clear demands on the Taiwan question and other core interests and major concerns. Qin pointed out that the Taiwan question is the core of China’s core interests, the most consequential issue and the most pronounced risk in the China-U.S. relationship. The Chinese side urged the U.S. side to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués, and truly deliver on its commitment of not supporting “Taiwan independence.”
Blinken, as usual, talked about some U.S. concerns and highlighted the U.S. vision of a “free, open, and upholds the international rules-based order.” According to the readout by the U.S., Qin has agreed to visit the U.S. reciprocally, a possible event that China did not mention:
The Secretary emphasized the importance of diplomacy and maintaining open channels of communication across the full range of issues to reduce the risk of misperception and miscalculation. The Secretary raised a number of issues of concern, as well as opportunities to explore cooperation on shared transnational issues with the PRC where our interests align. The Secretary made clear that the United States will always stand up for the interests and values of the American people and work with its allies and partners to advance our vision for a world that is free, open, and upholds the international rules-based order. The Secretary and State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin also noted the importance of facilitating exchanges between the people of the United States and the PRC. The Secretary invited State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin to Washington to continue the discussions, and they agreed to schedule a reciprocal visit at a mutually suitable time.
Two days before Blinken’s visit, President Xi met with billionaire Bill Gates (Zh/En). The difference was stark. The message was clear: China cordially embraces the American people but not an unfriendly government.
Xi Jinping said to Gates that he is the first American friend he has met in Beijing this year. As the world is emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, people should interact and communicate more to increase mutual understanding. Xi Jinping said people are the foundation of China-US relations, and “we count on the American people, and hope for lasting friendship between the two peoples”.