BEIJING—Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday told top US diplomat Antony Blinken that the world’s two biggest economies should be “partners, not rivals,” but that there were a “number of issues” to be resolved in their relations.
Blinken, in China for the second time in less than a year, met leading Chinese politicians in the capital Beijing, where US officials said he would directly raise crucial areas of difference including Russia, Taiwan and trade.
Meeting Blinken in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, Xi said the two countries had “made some positive progress” since he met with US President Joe Biden last year, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
“The two countries should be partners, not rivals,” Xi said.
“There are still a number of issues that need to be resolved, and there is still room for further efforts,” the Chinese leader added.
“We hope the US can also take a positive view of China’s development,” he added.
“When this fundamental problem is solved… relations can truly stabilize, get better, and move forward.”
Earlier China’s foreign minister Wang Yi warned Blinken that US pressure could trigger a “downward spiral,” as the visiting diplomat raised concerns on issues including support for Russia.
Wang also warned that the question of self-ruled Taiwan was the “first red line” that must not be crossed in China-US relations.
Blinken described his talks with Wang at the Diaoyutai state guesthouse —which lasted more than five and a half hours—”extensive and constructive.”
China has been infuriated by Biden’s pressure on the economic front —which is unlikely to ease during an election year—including a sweeping ban on semiconductor exports and efforts to wrest blockbuster video app TikTok away from its Chinese owners.
Wang told Blinken that relations between the two countries were “beginning to stabilize,” especially after Biden and Xi met in November near San Francisco.
“But at the same time, the negative factors in the relationship are still increasing and building,” Wang said.
“China’s legitimate development rights have been unreasonably suppressed and our core interests are facing challenges,” he said, urging “respect for each other’s core interests”
“Should China and the United States keep in the right direction of moving forward with stability, or return to a downward spiral?
“This is a major question before our two countries and tests our sincerity and ability.”