China calls on US to 'cease suppression of Chinese enterprises'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
10 Jul 2023 12:01

Beijing calls on Washington to take concrete steps to respond to China's major concerns in economic relations between the two sides.

China and US flags (AFP)

Following the conclusion of US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's Beijing visit, China, on Monday, called on the United States to take "practical action" concerning its "major concerns" about sanctions against Chinese firms.

Yellen stated that her discussions with top Chinese officials have contributed to putting ties on "surer footing" between the two largest economies, AFP reported.

While there was no breakthrough, both parties deemed the meetings as "productive" and agreed to maintain channels of communication open "at all levels" for economic discussions.

But before wrapping up her four-day visit, the Treasury Secretary told journalists that she and her Beijing counterparts had "aired significant disagreements" during their meetings, which was apparent in a statement issued by the Chinese Finance Ministry.

According to the Ministry, China agreed to "maintain high-level exchanges and communication at all levels in the economic field."

However, it underlined that Beijing "requires" Washington to "cease the suppression of Chinese enterprises, lift bans on Xinjiang-related products, and take concrete steps to respond to China's major concerns in economic relations between the two countries."

It is noteworthy that the US has imposed sanctions against some firms for allegedly using forced labor in the far-western region of Xinjiang -- a claim that China denies.

The Ministry indicated that China considers its development as an opportunity rather than a threat to the United States, pointing out that "strengthening cooperation between China and the United States is a realistic need and the correct choice of the two countries."

A couple of days ago, Yellen considered that the decoupling of the US and Chinese economies would be "virtually impossible" as it would result in the destabilization of the global markets.