Chinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) state visit to the US has reflected the need for Taiwan and China to initiate a high-level dialogue to clear doubts between the two sides, Chao Chun-shan (趙春山), head of the Taipei-based Foundation on Asia-Pacific Peace Studies, said yesterday.
Chao said that Beijing has made concessions on subjects that China and the US have been bitterly divided over, such as curbing greenhouse gas emissions.
Xi also showed respect for the US’ remarks on issues regarding Taiwan and human rights, reflecting the degree to which Beijing values China-US relations.
The Chinese leader mentioned his concept of a “new type of great power relations,” with the hopes of building trust and clearing uncertainties with his US counterpart.
Though the US and China are in friction over a long list of topics, the world’s two largest economies have tried to navigate the dangerous waters through high-level dialogue, in which they hope to find significant common ground.
Even though US President Barack Obama has less than 16 months left in his second term, Xi still greatly values the discussions with him, Chao said.
“The US and China are divided on many topics, yet they try to have regular high-level dialogues. Unfortunately, we do not do that with China,” Chao said. “High-level dialogue need to be built across the Taiwan Strait and that would be highly beneficial to clear doubts between the two sides.”
There have been no similar high-level cross-strait meetings.
Chao said that status of cross-strait relations should not be changed because of Taiwan’s political situation, and dialogue between the two sides should not be stalled.
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