At an event hosted by the Aspen Security Forum on Wednesday, China’s Ambassador to the US, Xie Feng, said that the current China-US relationship is “facing serious difficulties and severe challenges.”
On Taiwan
Xie said that Taiwan is the “pressing issue at hand” and the priority is “to resolutely block the so-called transit of Taiwan separatist William Lai Ching-te through the US,” which he said was akin to a “grey rhino charging” towards China.
He further highlighted that the fundamental principle for understanding and handling the Taiwan question is that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China’s territory.
“No one values the peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits more than China, and no one hopes for peaceful reunification more,” the Chinese ambassador added.
Speaking at the #AspenSecurityForum on July 20, Chinese Ambassador #XieFeng said #Taiwan is an inalienable part of #China. China hopes the U.S. could return to the one-China Principle and translate U.S. President Joe Biden’s statements into concrete actions. #CGTNAmerica https://t.co/LY5YPAI9dp
— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) July 20, 2023
He noted that “certain forces in the US” were instigating the use of the Taiwan issue to contain China, a trend he said was “very dangerous and must be guarded against.”
To improve the relationship, Xie recommended that the US “take action to remove obstacles, manage differences, and handle important sensitive questions, such as the Taiwan question, in accordance with the principles of the three China-US joint communiques.”
“The US side should implement President Biden’s statements, including not seeking to change China’s system,” he stated.
On Chip Ban, Sanctions
He also urged Washington to “stop sanctioning Chinese entities and individuals, and prevent ‘black swan’ and ‘grey rhino’ events from causing new disturbances and shocks” to the relationship.
“The US is not competing one-on-one, but rallying allies to gang up, disregarding rules,” he alleged.
On technological war: China is against waging trade war or technological war on the pretext of competition. The US is trying to win by keeping China out and is rallying allies to encircle China. This is not fair. It is also imposing chip export restrictions on China. This is like… pic.twitter.com/AHrB0lGMWP
— Xie Feng 谢锋 (@AmbXieFeng) July 20, 2023
“[The US] has introduced a chip ban, prohibiting the export of chips below 14 nanometers to China, which is like wearing the most advanced shark skin swimsuit in a swimming competition while others are only allowed to wear outdated swimsuits. Where is the basic fairness?” Xie asked.
The diplomat further noted that the US has put various sanctions on more than 1,300 Chinese companies thus far, which has resulted in countless Chinese losing their jobs and affected the livelihoods of their families.
“The Chinese people will not remain indifferent, and the Chinese government will not sit idly by,” he asserted.
On Repairing the Relationship
He suggested the US “strengthen dialogue and expand cooperation with a sense of sincerity.”
In addition, he called on the superpower to renew bilateral agreements on scientific cooperation, “restoring congressional and staff visit programs under the Mutual Education and Cultural Exchange Act, holding high-level China-US tourism dialogues, and facilitating visits by students, scholars, tourists, entrepreneurs, from each other’s countries in terms of entry and visas.”