US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a “candid and constructive” discussion during their meeting at the Munich Security Conference.
They discussed various bilateral, regional, and global issues as part of efforts to maintain open lines of communication and manage competition in the relationship.
During the meeting, Blinken raised concerns about China’s support for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. They also exchanged views on the situations in West Asia and on the Korean Peninsula, agreeing that their senior officials should meet to follow up on these discussions.
Blinken emphasized the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the South China Sea. This meeting was the first in-person meeting of senior officials of the two countries since Taiwan’s presidential election in mid-January.
According to Xinhua, Wang Yi called for the sound, steady, and sustainable development of China-US ties. He emphasized the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.
Wang also urged the US to view China’s development objectively and rationally and abide by the one-China principle for stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Wang warned against efforts to “de-risking” into “de-sinicization” and called on the US to lift illegal unilateral sanctions against Chinese companies and individuals. He stated that such efforts would backfire on the US itself.
During the MSC, Blinken also expressed concerns about China’s support for Russia’s war against Ukraine. He reiterated that the US will continue to stand up for its interests, values, and those of its allies.
This meeting between Blinken and Wang follows extensive talks held last month between US National Security Advisor Jack Sullivan and the Chinese Foreign Minister, where they agreed to maintain open lines of communication and manage competition in the relationship.
Relations between the two countries had come under strain after a US military fighter jet shot down a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon over the Atlantic Ocean in February 2023.
