Chinese embassy in US denies asking for talks about Biden-Xi summit
- Diplomats in Washington deny a Wall Street Journal report that they had written to the new administration proposing discussions
- Beijing is hoping to stabilise relations after a sharp downturn during Donald Trump’s presidency
The Chinese embassy in the United States has denied reports that it had sent a letter proposing a meeting between senior officials to discuss a summit between Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that Beijing was pushing for a meeting between Yang Jiechi, China’s top diplomat, with Biden aides to explore a summit between the two nations’ leaders.
The report said the proposal had been made through letters sent by the Chinese ambassador Cui Tiankai in December, soon after Xi congratulated Biden on his election victory, and through conversations with intermediaries.
It also said Chinese officials had not made a formal request to the Biden national security team.
But on Saturday a statement from the embassy said: “The Chinese side did not write any letters as mentioned in the report.
Biden rouses optimism among businesses in China’s manufacturing hubs
“A sound China-US relationship serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples and meets the general expectation of the international community.”
Under Donald Trump, China-US relations plunged to their lowest point since the establishment of formal diplomatic ties over four decades ago, with the rivalry spanning trade and technological disputes, to regular confrontations between the two militaries in the South China Sea.
00:57
China says ‘unity’ needed in relationship with US, referring to Biden’s inauguration speech
Beijing is eager to ease tensions with the US as it tries to focus on rebuilding the economy and senior officials have expressed their willingness to try to stabilise relations.
In his congratulatory message to Biden, Xi said promoting the healthy and stable development of China-US relations is not only in the fundamental interests of both peoples, but also meets the common expectations of the international community.
In an article published last August, Yang said the two countries should “view and handle their relationship in a proper manner and seek peaceful co-existence”.
Hit back at China sanctions, US Republicans tell Biden
Some Chinese analysts have argued that China and the US could try to cooperate in fighting climate change and Covid-19, and also work to tackle nuclear proliferation.
A report published on Wednesday by the Beijing-based think-tank the Centre for China and Globalisation said Biden’s presidency could be an opportunity to resume cooperation.
Although it said the Biden administration was likely to view the relationship as a strategic rivalry, it would deal with China in a more rational, consistent and predictable way than its predecessor.
