Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Yang Jiechi’s (楊潔篪) said yesterday that often-fractious ties between Beijing and Washington are steadily improving, but that more trust is needed and the onus is on the US to respect Chinese interests on issues such as Taiwan and Tibet.
Yang’s comments on China’s most important bilateral relationship reflect the positive gloss given to ties by the successful getting-to-know-you visit to the US last month by Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (習近平), the heir-apparent to President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤).
With its economy slowing and a delicate leadership transition looming, Beijing is looking to keep relations with Washington on an even keel, barring any major affronts to Chinese dignity or security.
Addressing reporters at an annual news conference, Yang said the key to sustaining momentum is for each to heed the other’s core concerns, although he mentioned only issues important to Beijing.
“In particular, the US side needs to honor its commitments and carefully and properly handle Taiwan and Tibet-related issues that concern China’s core -interests,” Yang said at the packed conference, held on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the National People’s Congress.
Beijing has long pressured Washington to end arms sales to Taiwan and withdraw support for Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, whom China accuses of fomenting separatism in Chinese-ruled Tibet.
US diplomats say tensions with Beijing have risen since US President Barack Obama announced plans to shift the US military’s focus back to the Asia-Pacific region following the winding down of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Chinese -foreign relations experts and outspoken military officers have expressed concerns that Washington is seeking to contain China’s growing influence and turn the region against it.
Asked about the US strategic pivot, Yang said Beijing was keeping its eye on the long-term positive momentum in relations and called for more high-level exchanges between Washington and Beijing as a way to build trust.
“The two countries should work together to increase mutual strategic trust, remove various disturbances and open up new prospects,” he said.
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