US-China talks ‘constructive’, but both sides stick to guns over key disputes such as national security law for Hong Kong

Beijing again warns that Hong Kong affairs are a Chinese domestic matter, repeats stance on Taiwan and raises Xinjiang controversy

Meeting between Yang Jiechi and Mike Pompeo lasts about seven hours, with analysts saying move reflects willingness to step back from the brink

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US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets Chinese director of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission Office Yang Jiechi. Photo: US Department of State/dpa

Published: 10:50pm, 18 Jun 2020Updated: 6:46am, 19 Jun 2020

China has agreed at a high-level meeting with the United States to work together on improving a relationship that has hit rock bottom, but despite the “constructive” talks, both sides stuck to their guns over key disputes, with the Chinese doubling down on a national security law for Hong Kong.

At their meeting in Hawaii, the first icebreaker since ties sank to a historic low over the Covid-19 pandemic and other political issues, state leader Yang Jiechi told US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that Beijing was determined to push ahead with the legislation in Hong Kong, regardless of Washington’s stiff opposition.

At the same time, Vice-Premier Liu He separately sought to ease international concerns over the impact of the impending law, assuring investors that Beijing would continue to support the city as a global financial centre and stick to the “one country, two systems” principle it is governed by.

We urge the US side to respect China’s counterterrorism and deradicalisation efforts, stop applying double standards …

Zhao Lijian, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman

Further controversy was sparked on Thursday by a change in the wording of the new law being drafted by China’s top legislative body, the National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC).

Along with acts of secession, subversion of state power and terrorist activities, the law will now criminalise “collusion with foreign and external forces” instead of “foreign and external interference in Hong Kong affairs”.

“Yang Jiechi pointed out that Hong Kong affairs, including the establishment of a legal system and enforcement mechanisms to uphold national security in Hong Kong, are purely China’s internal affairs. China is resolutely determined in advancing the national security legislation,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said.

The meeting between both sides was held in Hawaii. Photo: US Department of State

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