Chinese FM holds talks with U.S. secretary of state

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang holds talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Beijing, capital of China, June 18, 2023. [Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan]

BEIJING -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang held talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Beijing on Sunday.

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.

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."

The two sides had candid, in-depth and constructive talks at length on the overall bilateral ties and important issues.

Both sides agreed to jointly implement the important common understandings reached by the two presidents in Bali, effectively manage differences, and advance dialogue, exchanges and cooperation.

Both sides agreed to maintain high-level interactions. Secretary Blinken invited State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin to visit the U.S., and Qin expressed his readiness to make the visit at a mutually convenient time.

Both sides agreed to keep moving forward consultations on the guiding principles of China-U.S. relations.

Both sides agreed to continue advancing consultations through the joint working group to address specific issues in the relations.

Both sides agreed to encourage more people-to-people and educational exchanges, and had positive discussions on increasing passenger flights between the two countries. Both sides welcomed more mutual visits by students, scholars and business people, and agreed to provide support and facilitation to this end.

The two sides also exchanged views on major international and regional issues of mutual interest. 

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang holds talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Beijing, capital of China, June 18, 2023. [Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan]