Editorial | Empty talk must end for Sino-US relations to show improvement
- Discussions between top officials of both countries concluded in disappointment, but at least they agreed to disagree and keep communications open
It is intriguing that talks in Rome between China’s top diplomat and the United States’ national security adviser lasted seven hours, an unexpectedly long time for two sides on bad terms. But if this raised hopes of an easing of tensions exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, and for direct talks between presidents Xi Jinping and Joe Biden, they have been dashed.
At best the two sides agreed to disagree and keep communications open.
The outcome is disappointing, even though preparations for the meeting began last year. It might have been held last month, before the Ukraine war, but for a delay said to be linked to a China’s unhappiness with a US diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics.
So while the Ukraine war stood out on the agenda, it was far from the only reason for the meeting between Yang Jiechi and Jake Sullivan. It was really about stabilising free-falling China-US relations.
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US-China meeting focuses on Ukraine, Beijing’s alleged support of Russia
That said, the Ukraine crisis did give it a sense of urgency. Sadly, statements from the two sides reflected failure to resolve fundamental differences.
China will continue to stand firm against continuing American pressure, not only on Ukraine but also Taiwan, Hong Kong and Xinjiang. Beijing is angered by the perception that the US is portraying it as having colluded with Russian aggression in Ukraine and having had foreknowledge of invasion plans, characterising it as disinformation warfare.