US-China Agree to Resume High-Level Military Communication... Plan to Increase Flights to Expand Exchanges (Comprehensive)

Xi Jinping Urges US to Act on 'No Support for Taiwan Independence' Pledge
Calls for Lifting Export Controls and Sanctions

The United States and China have agreed to resume high-level military communications between the two countries and to expand cultural and personnel exchanges. However, President Xi expressed dissatisfaction by urging the U.S. to ease sanctions against China and clarify its stance on the Taiwan issue, and no agreements or discussions related to these matters were publicly disclosed.

According to the results of the summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden on the 15th (local time) in San Francisco, announced by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 16th, the two countries agreed to strengthen dialogue and cooperation in various fields, including resuming high-level military communications, working-level talks between defense ministries, maritime military security consultations, and commander-level phone calls. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the meeting started at 11 a.m. local time and lasted until 1:35 p.m.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

They also agreed to establish intergovernmental dialogue on artificial intelligence (AI) and to set up a drug control working group to implement cooperation in drug prevention. Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that both sides agreed to significantly increase U.S.-China flights early next year and to expand exchanges in education, culture, sports, and business sectors.

During the talks, President Xi criticized the U.S. for its containment of China and emphasized that China has its own unique development path. He stated, "China’s development proceeds according to its own logic and rules, and China is modernizing in its own distinctive way to promote the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," adding, "We do not follow the old path of colonial plunder, nor do we engage in ideological confrontations with any country." He further stressed, "China has no plans to surpass or replace the United States, and the U.S. should not suppress or contain China."

President Xi also addressed the Taiwan issue, noting that he values the statements made by the U.S. during the previous Bali summit. He emphasized, "The Taiwan issue remains the most important and sensitive matter in China-U.S. relations," and "China attaches great importance to the positive remarks made by the U.S. side at the Bali summit." He added, "The U.S. must concretely implement its position of not supporting 'Taiwan independence,' halt arms sales to Taiwan, and support China’s peaceful reunification." President Biden had previously stated at the U.S.-China summit held in Bali, Indonesia last year that the "One China" policy remains unchanged and that any unilateral changes by either party are opposed.

President Xi also pointed out, "The U.S. has seriously harmed China’s legitimate interests through export controls, investment reviews, and unilateral sanctions," and criticized, "Suppressing China’s technology stifles China’s high-quality development and deprives the people of their right to development." Furthermore, he said, "China’s growth follows an internal logic that cannot be stopped by external forces," and emphasized, "We hope the U.S. will seriously consider China’s concerns, lift unilateral sanctions, and provide a fair, just, and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese companies."

China’s state-run Global Times (GT) cited remarks from Diao Daming, associate professor at Renmin University of China, saying, "This continues the tone of the Bali summit," and "We need to see whether the U.S. can truly be understood going forward." Associate Professor Diao explained, "If the U.S. adopts a genuinely responsible perspective, acknowledges each other’s positions, effectively manages differences, and advances mutually beneficial cooperation, the bilateral relationship will become more stable."