"Conflict and Confrontation Between China and the US Lead to Unmanageable Consequences"
Hong Kong, Taiwan, Xinjiang, and Other Core Chinese Interests Are Absolutely Non-Negotiable
[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese media emphasized the need for dialogue with the United States, stating that China-US relations are not a zero-sum game. This contrasts with their harsh criticism of the US for "diplomatic rudeness" over the rough language used in the opening remarks of the previous day’s US-China Alaska high-level (2+2) talks.
According to Chinese state media Xinhua News Agency and Pengpai on the 20th, Yang Jiechi, member of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party responsible for foreign affairs, said in an interview with Chinese media on the 19th (local time) after the US-China Alaska high-level (2+2) talks, "We had an honest, constructive, and beneficial dialogue."
He said, "Both sides should handle China-US relations based on the principles of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect, and win-win cooperation, and strive to develop China-US relations along a healthy and stable path." He added, "China will firmly safeguard its sovereignty, security, and development interests," emphasizing, "China’s development and growth cannot be stopped."
Regarding this, Chinese media reported that the results of China-US conflict and confrontation could lead to unbearable consequences for both sides, and instead of blaming each other, they should understand and cooperate to focus on achieving their respective development goals.
They also argued that the two countries should strengthen strategic communication, promote mutually beneficial cooperation, and properly manage their differences to lead their development in a healthy and stable manner. Through this, Chinese media reported, they should lead world peace and sustained prosperity.
At the same time, China emphasized that it has no intention to interfere with the US political system or challenge the US status and influence. The goal of China is to enable all Chinese people to live good lives, and to this end, China will establish new development directions and achieve high-quality development. They further asserted that no one can deprive Chinese people of their right to pursue a better life.
Chinese media stated that combating COVID-19, addressing climate change, and promoting global economic recovery are the most urgent issues facing China and the US, and that the two countries must cooperate on these matters. They added that through communication, they should coordinate major international and regional issues to benefit not only their own peoples but also people worldwide.
Although the tone of Chinese media toward the US changed within a day, they reaffirmed their unwillingness to yield on China’s core interests such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang.
Chinese media pointed out that the Taiwan issue concerns China’s territory and sovereignty and is non-negotiable. They urged the US to stop military exchanges and arms sales to Taiwan and to cease sending wrong signals to Taiwan.
Regarding Hong Kong, Chinese media expressed a firm stance. They emphasized that issues such as election law amendments in Hong Kong are internal matters of China and drew a clear line that no foreign government, organization, or individual has the right to interfere in Hong Kong affairs.
On the issue of alleged genocide in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, they stressed that it is clearly false and the biggest lie of this century. They called for an end to attacks on China’s Xinjiang policies.
Chinese media reported that during the Alaska 2+2 talks, they discussed topics including COVID-19 vaccination for their diplomatic and consular staff, climate change, economy, and trade.
They also reported having frank discussions on a wide range of agendas including Iran’s nuclear issue, the Korean Peninsula, Afghanistan, Myanmar, and cybersecurity.
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