US to Raise Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Uyghur Human Rights Issues with China at Alaska Talks

Pressure from China on Hong Kong Election System Reform
Human Rights as a Key Agenda... "Will Throw Punches Without Hesitation"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Biden administration in the United States announced that at the first high-level talks with China scheduled for the 18th (local time) in Alaska, it will address sensitive human rights abuses issues that China is sensitive about, such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, as major agenda items. This is interpreted as a diplomatic measure to re-emphasize a tough stance against China ahead of the first summit of the anti-China coalition Quad, as well as in response to the passage of the Hong Kong election system reform bill the day before.

According to foreign media including CNN on the 11th (local time), White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said at a press briefing that "At the Alaska talks, Jake Sullivan, the White House National Security Advisor, and Tony Blinken, the Secretary of State, will discuss our challenges with China," emphasizing, "We plan to speak frankly about China's human rights abuses, whether it is Taiwan, Hong Kong democracy issues, or the genocide of Uyghur Muslims."

The U.S. State Department also fiercely criticized the Hong Kong election system reform bill and stated that it plans to have uncomfortable conversations with China without hesitation. Ned Price, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, said at a press briefing, "This change is a direct attack on Hong Kong's autonomy, freedom, and democratic processes," strongly criticizing it as "an act that restricts political participation, reduces democratic representation, and suppresses political debate."

He continued, "We will have a kind of difficult conversation at the Alaska talks on the 18th, and discussions will be held on areas where there are disagreements with China," adding, "We will not hesitate to strike where we need to strike." At the same time, he added, "However, the dialogue does not have to be entirely hostile, and there will be opportunities to raise potential areas of cooperation." On the same day, the U.S. Department of Commerce also announced additional sanctions against Huawei, tightening export restrictions on companies exporting 5G (5th generation mobile communication) components to Huawei.

The U.S. re-emphasizing a tough stance against China is interpreted as diplomatic rhetoric conscious of the first summit of the U.S.-led Asia-Pacific anti-China coalition Quad, scheduled for the 12th. It is expected that measures to check China will be the main agenda at the first Quad meeting, where the leaders of the U.S., Japan, India, and Australia will gather via video conference.