CHINESE President Xi Jinping told U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken their countries should be partners and not rivals as the latter visited the East Asian country for talks.
Blinken’s recent trip to China marked his second visit to the country in less than a year.
Before his trip to China, U.S. officials said the U.S. official would directly raise critical areas where both nations have differences including Russia, Taiwan, and trade issues.
Although China offered to be partners with Washington, Xi acknowledged that both sides need to resolve several issues in their bilateral relations.
The Chinese leader also urged the United States to take a positive view of China’s development for their relations to truly stabilize and move forward.
Meanwhile, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi warned Blinken that US pressure concerning Beijing’s close relations with Moscow and its support for the Russian military could trigger a “downward spiral.”
Wang Yi also warned that the question of self-ruled Taiwan was the “first red line” that Washington must not cross in its relations with Beijing.
Additionally, Washington’s sweeping ban on semiconductor exports and efforts to blockbuster its video app TikTok have added to the tensions.
Blinken’s second visit coincides with the 45th anniversary of bilateral ties between China and the U.S.