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SCMP Editorial

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

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A meeting between top Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi (far left) and US national security adviser Jake Sullivan (far right) focused on stabilising free-falling China-US relations, notwithstanding the Ukraine crisis. Photo: Xinhua

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.

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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.

02:24

US-China meeting focuses on Ukraine, Beijing’s alleged support of Russia

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.

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