Effort needed to restore Sino-US relations

Frequent high-level interactions serve as significant steps towards a detente between China and the United States.

John Kerry, the U.S. climate envoy, arrived in Beijing yesterday for a long-awaited trip to restart climate negotiations. He is the third U.S. cabinet member to visit China in recent weeks, as the Biden administration steps up efforts to mend fractured communications and stabilize tense relations with Beijing.

Last month, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, and U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen met with China’s Premier Li Qiang the week before last. On Thursday, Blinken met with China’s top diplomat Wang Yi on the sidelines of a summit in Jakarta.

When grilled by a House panel Thursday prior to his visit, Kerry argued it would be “malpractice of the worst order, diplomatic and political and common sense for the U.S. not to talk to China.”

Although a consensus was reached by the heads of state of both countries in Bali last year, bilateral relations have been strained due to misguided actions and statements from Washington targeting China.

To achieve global progress, it is imperative that the China-U.S. relationship does not regress further. China seeks genuine collaboration with Washington to translate the shared understandings of the two presidents into tangible actions, ultimately reestablishing a positive trajectory for China-U.S. relations.

In order to achieve this goal, it is crucial for both nations to effectively manage their differences and remain focused amidst various distractions.

The U.S. should fully respect China’s core interests, refrain from unwarranted interference in China’s internal affairs, and respect China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is essential for the U.S. to abandon attempts to suppress and contain China in areas such as trade and technology, and lift any unjustified and unreasonable sanctions imposed on China.

Biden has pledged multiple times that the United States does not seek a new Cold War with China, does not aim to change China’s system, that the revitalization of its alliance is not targeted at China, and that the United States does not support “Taiwan independence” and has no intention to seek a conflict with China. However, it remains uncertain if Washington will uphold these commitments.

According to Liu Yawei, director of the China Program at The Carter Center, the improvement of bilateral relations depends on the actions of the United States.

Recent high-level interactions suggest that both sides desire a detente. It is crucial to maintain this momentum and prioritize sincerity for constructive communication. While the Wall Street Journal reported that Janet Yellen’s trip assisted in sustaining dialogue, it cautioned that “going any further is likely to test Washington and Beijing’s ability to resist tit-for-tat measures.”

The peaceful coexistence of the world’s two largest economies is vital for the future and destiny of humanity. China has consistently demonstrated a sincere willingness to engage in dialogue and improve relations with the United States, as these relations currently stand at a critical juncture. There is hope for a positive shift in bilateral relations, particularly with Kerry’s visit and a possible visit by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. But that depends on whether the United States is willing to play ball.