Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (王毅) yesterday criticized US export curbs in a call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, underscoring the tensions between the nations before a possible face-to-face meeting of their leaders.
“The US side should stop its containment and suppression of China and not create new obstacles to bilateral relations,” said Wang, according to a statement the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs released in Beijing. “The US side introduced new export controls against China, restricting investments in China, seriously violating free-trade principles and seriously harming China’s legitimate rights and interests, which must be corrected.”
Wang and Blinken discussed the need to maintain an open dialogue and responsibly manage their relationship, US Department of State spokesman Ned Price said in a separate statement after the call.
Photo: AFP
Blinken raised concerns about Russia’s war against Ukraine, and the threats it poses to global security and economic stability, Price said, adding that they discussed the instability in Haiti.
The call was the first between the two men since Wang’s promotion to the Chinese Communist Party’s 24-member politburo earlier this month, making him China’s top-ranked diplomat.
Both sides are preparing for a possible meeting between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) next month, when world leaders gather at a G20 meeting in Bali, Indonesia.
Wang’s comments about export controls were an apparent reference to Washington’s move earlier this month to restrict Chinese access to chipmaking technology.
They signal that the issue is likely to be an area of contention if and when Biden holds his first sit-down as president with the Chinese leader.
The US Department of Commerce’s sweeping regulations limit the sale of semiconductors and chipmaking equipment to Chinese customers, striking at the foundation of the country’s efforts to build its own semiconductor industry.
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