China’s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, held a meeting with visiting senior American lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, as both sides seek to navigate and manage a range of pressing issues. Wang Yi expressed hope for a more rational approach to their differences, while Schumer emphasized several key concerns during the discussions.
In the meeting at Beijing’s Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, Wang Yi extended his desire for a more rational management of differences between the United States and China. He welcomed the visit of the American senate delegation and expressed hope that it would contribute to handling existing differences more sensibly, ultimately fostering a healthier trajectory for bilateral relations. Wang also expressed his wish for the delegation to gain a more accurate understanding of China through their visit.
In response, Schumer conveyed his appreciation for the hospitality shown by the Chinese delegation and highlighted several issues of “great concern” that he aimed to address during the visit. He emphasized that ensuring a level playing field for American businesses and workers stood as a top priority for his delegation. Additionally, Schumer stressed the importance of holding China-based companies accountable for supplying chemicals contributing to the fentanyl crisis in the United States.
Schumer also expressed his concerns regarding China’s stance on Russia’s actions in Ukraine, emphasizing the need to ensure that China does not support Russia’s involvement in the ongoing conflict. Human rights issues were another significant point of discussion during the meeting, reflecting the United States’ commitment to advancing human rights.
However, Schumer expressed his disappointment with a statement from Beijing’s foreign ministry on the escalating violence between Israel and the Palestinians. While China called for calm and an immediate ceasefire, Schumer conveyed his disappointment that the statement did not explicitly condemn a recent Palestinian attack that had resulted in casualties in Israel. He urged China to stand with the Israeli people and condemn such attacks.
Senator Schumer had previously met with Chen Jining, the chief official of the ruling Chinese Communist Party in Shanghai, where he emphasized the United States’ commitment to maintaining economic ties with China.
Schumer’s visit to China is part of a broader effort by American officials to ease tensions between the two nations, which have faced challenges related to trade, human rights, and other issues. High-ranking officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, and climate envoy John Kerry, have visited China this year. President Joe Biden also expressed the possibility of meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco in November, signaling a commitment to resetting bilateral ties, although no specific plans have been confirmed yet.
Sources By Agencies
