China Signals Willingness to Improve Relations with the United States
SINGAPORE: On Wednesday, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng stated that Beijing is prepared to engage in talks with the United States at “all levels.” This comes ahead of the anticipated summit in San Francisco between leaders Xi Jinping and Joe Biden, as they aim to stabilize tense relations by meeting in person for just the second time in nearly three years.
The summit, set on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, follows a six-month US effort to engage its geopolitical rival, including several unreciprocated cabinet-level visits. The effort seeks to recover from a diplomatic crisis over the US downing of an alleged Chinese spy balloon in February.
Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng noted that recent high-level meetings between Beijing and Washington were sending “positive signals” indicating improving relations.
“We’re ready to strengthen communication and dialogue with the United States at all levels, advance mutually beneficial cooperation, properly manage differences, and jointly address global challenges,” Han said.
Relations between Washington and Beijing had reached some of their deepest lows in recent years over issues like export controls, human rights, and national security. However, both sides appear willing to mend ties, with Washington sending top officials to Beijing this year to reestablish high-level dialogue.
US President Biden has expressed his expectation to meet Chinese leader Xi on the sidelines of a summit in San Francisco next week for “constructive” talks.
In response to questions about whether the summit would proceed, China’s foreign ministry reiterated on Wednesday that the two sides had agreed to meet. “At the same time, the road to San Francisco is not smooth, and we cannot be on autopilot,” said ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin during a regular briefing.
“Both sides must… truly implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, eliminate interference and overcome obstacles, enhance consensus and accumulate results,” he added, alluding to a meeting last year between Xi and Biden in Indonesia.
‘Prosper together’
Han reiterated Xi’s opinion that the question of US-China ties “bears on the future of humanity.”
“The world is big enough for the two countries to develop themselves and prosper together,” he stated.
While US officials noted “agreement in principle” for Xi and Biden to meet in San Francisco, Beijing has yet to confirm Xi’s attendance at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), scheduled from Nov 15 to 17.
APEC is a group of 21-member economies, accounting for about 62% of global GDP and almost half of global trade. However, it has increasingly become a stage for strategic competition between the US and China.
“This is going to overshadow anything that happens at APEC,” said Oriana Skylar Mastro, a Stanford University China expert.
While Biden administration officials consider announcing meeting outcomes an outdated measure of progress, experts point to possible signs of improvement, such as an increase in commercial flights between the two countries.
