China's Foreign Minister says the Taiwan issue is the main threat to Sino-American relations.
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the two countries will seek a cooperative approach to resolve their differences.
247 - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan held a meeting in Bangkok, seeking to maintain ongoing dialogue between the two world powers, Reuters reports. The meeting, which took place just over two months after Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco, reflects the search for stability amid a period of tension.
The focus of the discussion between Wang and Sullivan was the issue of "Taiwan independence," identified by Wang as the main risk to Sino-American ties. Tension regarding Taiwan has been a sensitive point in bilateral relations, and both sides agreed to handle important and sensitive issues appropriately, as reported by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The year 2023 began with significant challenges in relations between China and the United States. However, throughout the second half of the year, the two countries intensified their efforts to stabilize ties ahead of the presidential transition in Taiwan, scheduled for May, and in the face of the imminent election campaign in the United States.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that Wang and Sullivan agreed to address the issues appropriately, seeking a cooperative approach to resolve differences. Furthermore, it emphasized that Presidents Xi and Biden will maintain regular contact to provide strategic guidance for bilateral relations, reinforcing the importance of effective strategic communication channels.