Hong Kong SCMP Criticizes China's Statement... "Differences in Positions Exist Between Both Sides"
Chinese President Xi Jinping is delivering a group New Year's greeting speech on the 10th at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to celebrate the biggest holiday, the Spring Festival (Chunje, Chinese New Year). [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Minwoo Lee] Claims have been raised that the Chinese government excluded content related to controlling North Korea's nuclear weapons program in its announcement regarding the first phone call between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP) pointed out on the 11th that the Chinese government omitted the part concerning cooperation on non-proliferation of weapons. SCMP reported, "President Biden mentioned cooperation on non-proliferation, which appears to be aimed at securing China's cooperation on controlling North Korea's nuclear weapons program," adding, "However, this part was missing from the Chinese announcement."
Earlier, the White House stated that the two leaders exchanged views via phone call on common challenges such as COVID-19 response, global health security, climate change, and non-proliferation of weapons. In contrast, China's state-run CCTV reported that President Biden said the U.S. and China should avoid conflict and cooperate in broad areas including climate change.
Meanwhile, SCMP evaluated the call as "a goodwill gesture to begin resetting China-U.S. relations after four years of extreme deterioration." It also reported that President Xi urged resumption of dialogue, warning that confrontation between the two countries would be a "disaster."
However, according to announcements from both countries, President Xi maintained a firm stance on issues such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang. President Biden also showed differences with President Xi on trade, human rights, and Indo-Pacific regional matters.
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