Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi makes a speech in a discussion with members of the US strategic community in Washington on October 28, 2023 local time. Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry

China and the US agreed to work together for the meeting between the two heads of state in San Francisco, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in a discussion with members of the US strategic community in Washington. 

He stressed that "the road to San Francisco" will not be smooth sailing and cannot rely on "autopilot." Therefore, both sides need to effectively "return to Bali [the summit between the two sides]," truly implement the consensus reached by the two leaders, eliminate interference, overcome obstacles, enhance consensus, and accumulate achievements, Wang pointed out.

Wang stated that both China and the US engaged in in-depth, constructive, and substantive strategic communication on many issues of common concern, with an attitude of equality and mutual respect, sending a positive signal for stabilizing and improving China-US relations. 

Despite the various differences and contradictions between the two countries, there are still many issues that need to be resolved. Both sides believe that maintaining dialogue between the two major countries is beneficial and necessary. They both hope that bilateral relations can stabilize as soon as possible and strive for improvement, Wang said.

Wang appreciates the deep involvement and dedication of the participants in the development of China-US relations. He welcomes Americans to visit China more and encourages them to continue voicing rational opinions, playing a constructive role in enhancing the objective understanding of the US toward China and correctly handling differences and disputes between the two sides, and contributing more wisdom to the healthy, stable, and sustainable development of China-US relations. 

Participants at the meeting expressed that a stable China-US relationship is in the interests of both sides. China-US cooperation has played a key role in resolving international and regional hotspot issues in the past and will continue to do so. 

The US strategic community does not agree with the "failure of US-China engagement" theory and supports the resumption of dialogue, promotion of economic, trade, and technological cooperation, facilitation of personnel exchanges, deepening communication to enhance understanding, and prevent misunderstandings and misjudgments. Faced with geopolitical conflicts and global disorder, it is necessary for the two countries to strengthen communication and jointly address global challenges. 

Wang also held in-depth exchanges with the participants on issues of military exchanges between China and the US, financial, technological, and cultural exchanges and cooperation, China's investment environment, market access, as well as the situation in the Middle East and the Ukraine crisis.

Separately, on Friday local time, US President Joe Biden met with Wang Yi in the White House. Noting the Bali meeting and the upcoming meeting in San Francisco, Wang said the two sides should work to stabilize the China-US relationship from further deterioration, and bring bilateral ties back on a track of sound and stable development .

Wang said that the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, the most important political foundation of the bilateral relationship, must be earnestly maintained with efforts to steer clear of disruptions. China attaches importance to the US side's desire to stabilize and improve its relations with China. 

Biden said that the US is ready to maintain communication with China and jointly address global challenges.

Also, during his visit, Wang held two rounds of talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and conducted strategic communication with Assistant to the US President for National Security Affairs Jake Sullivan.

Global Times