China welcomes ‘positive statements’ by US as talks hint at change of mood

The Chinese government has described this week’s talks with the US as constructive, with its top diplomat highlighting the importance of positive gestures by Washington in improving the atmosphere and the two sides agreeing to a virtual summit between their presidents.

The talks in Switzerland between Yang Jiechi and White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan ended without the confrontational tone that marred their previous meeting in March, in Anchorage, Alaska, with Beijing this time saying the discussion was “conducive to enhancing mutual understanding”.

A Chinese source familiar with the meeting said the atmosphere was much improved. The US asked for a face-to-face meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Joe Biden, but a virtual meeting before the end of the year was agreed.

“China attaches importance to President Biden’s recent positive statements on Sino-US relations,” Yang was quoted as saying by a Chinese government statement. “China has noted that the US has stated that it has no intention of containing China’s development and will not engage in a ‘new cold war’.