China slams Biden's push for high-level talks amid various sanctions

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Bloomberg
22 May 2023 15:00

China says the US attempts at mending ties between the two nations necessitates rolling back on US sanctions targetting multiple Chinese industries and personnel.

The flag of the People's Republic of China and that of the United States set up at the Ministry of Transport in Beijing, China, April 27, 2018. (Reuters)

The Chinese Foreign Ministry criticized the Biden administration's "sincerity" after the US President expressed the intention to initiate high-level diplomatic talks.

"The US side asks for communication on the one side, yet on the other, suppresses and contains China by every possible means," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning stated on Monday. Monday.

The official pointed to the US-imposed sanctions that target Chinese high-tech industries, which puts into question Biden's commitment to "cool down" tensions between the two countries.

"It imposes sanctions on Chinese officials, entities, and companies — what is the sincerity and meaning of such communication?" Mao added, "The US should roll back sanctions immediately, clear the hurdles and create favorable conditions for dialog."

Biden's statements came at a conference that took place after the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan. Ironically, a joint declaration was released at the conclusion of the meeting in which participants, including the US, accused China of alleged intellectual theft, "economic coercion", and domestic human rights violations.

Biden was asked at the G7 meeting on Sunday why a planned hotline between the United States and China was not in the works.

"You're right, we should have an open hotline. At the Bali conference, that's what President Xi and I agreed we were going to do and meet on," Biden responded.

Biden blames balloon for broken relations

He then proceeded to blame the balloon that the US shot down earlier in February for broken ties between the two countries, disregarding various issues such as increased US militarization in the South China Sea.

"And then, this silly balloon that was carrying two freight cars worth of spying equipment was flying over the United States," he added.

"It got shot down and everything changed in terms of talking to one another. I think you're going to see that begin to thaw very shortly."

China has also been angered by the Biden administration's targeting of trade in advanced microchips, citing risks of military use.

Biden warned China over its "militarization activities" in the region on Sunday.

"It is building its military, and that's why I've made it clear that I am not prepared to trade certain items with China," the President said. "We've now got commitment from all of our allies that they're not going to do that either, provide that kind of material."

Biden claims that the US sanctions are not a hostile act as he believes this is just an attempt to "maintain the status quo."

Little hope for improved ties

Washington has sought to mend ties with Beijing "by bombarding Beijing with meeting requests," according to Bloomberg.

According to the news agency, the US strategy seems to be working to an extent as China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao is scheduled to meet with his US counterpart Gina Raimondo and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai this week.

Nonetheless, US policy in regard to China has been turbulent, as Washington's attempts to contain the rise of China as an economic and financial superpower have not produced the expected results.

A while after the G7 statement, China announced that Micron Technology, a US-based semiconductor producer, did not pass its cybersecurity review; a move viewed as retaliation to the US' aggressive approach and mobilization against Beijing.