US-China Deputy Foreign Ministers Engage in Phone Talks... "Exchanging Views on US-China Relations and International Issues"

The Chinese government announced that the US and Chinese deputy foreign ministers discussed US-China relations and the international situation over the phone.

Majao Xi, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 27th, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted a statement on its website saying, "Ma Zhaoxu, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a phone call with Kurt Campbell, US Deputy Secretary of State, at the request of the US side." The Ministry explained, "Both sides exchanged views on the current US-China relations and international and regional issues of mutual concern." No further details were provided.

Some speculate that this call took place shortly after China filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which effectively excludes Chinese companies from receiving subsidies for electric vehicles, suggesting that trade issues including this matter were likely discussed. It is also possible that the prolonged Ukraine war, the Middle East conflict, and the tense situation on the Korean Peninsula due to North Korea's provocations were topics of discussion.