Beijing, July 18 (EFE) – China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, met with US special envoy John Kerry in Beijing on Tuesday to discuss cooperation on climate change and stabilize ties between the two countries.
Wang emphasized that “the world needs stable China-US relations,” according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement.
The Chinese diplomat referred to the understanding reached by President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Joe Biden during their meeting at the G20 summit in Bali in November last year.
“The two sides should earnestly implement the Bali consensus, jointly eliminate interference, and return China-US relations to the track of healthy development,” he said.
Wang noted that China was willing to strengthen dialogue and communication with the US to “explore mutually beneficial cooperation and jointly address climate change.”
He hoped that the US side would “pursue a rational, pragmatic, and positive China policy, continue to adhere to the one-China principle, properly handle the Taiwan issue, and jointly practice the way of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation with China.”
The statement said the two sides recognized the potential for cooperation in tackling climate change.
“At the same time, it is inseparable from the understanding and support of the two peoples and the general environment of China-US relations,” Wang noted.
The statement said Kerry pointed out the “importance” the US attaches to stabilizing ties with China.
“The US has always adhered to the one-China policy and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in the spirit of mutual respect, properly handle differences between the two countries, and jointly address global challenges such as climate change,” the Chinese statement quoted Kerry.
The meeting follows talks between Kerry and his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua on Monday.
Kerry’s visit comes just days after US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s high-stakes visit to China to ease tensions between the two nations.
During her visit, Yellen emphasized the need for increased communication with China, despite acknowledging “significant disagreements” between the two sides.
Beijing has called on the US government to stop trying to suppress the Chinese economy, trade, and science and technology development, demanding that Washington “lift the illegal and unwarranted sanctions against China.”
Prior to Kerry’s visit, Secretary of State Antony Blinken had also visited Beijing as part of an effort to defuse tensions. EFE
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