Wang Yi talks with Blinken over Taiwan, Israel-Palestine conflict

Beijing: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken over the phone at the latter’s invitation on Wednesday.

The current important task for both sides is to extend the positive effects of the San Francisco meeting, implement the consensus of the two countries’ leaders, consolidate the stabilization of China-US relations, and promote the development of China-US relations toward a healthy, stable, and sustainable direction, Wang said.

Blinken expressed gratitude to Wang for visiting the US Embassy in China to pay respects to the former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. Wang said that Kissinger always advocated that the two major countries, China and the US, should respect each other, evolve together, and fulfill their respective international responsibilities, Global Times reported. Kissinger repeatedly emphasized that the US should fully understand the importance of the Taiwan question to China. The diplomatic legacy left by him is worthy of being promoted and developed by future generations, Wang said.

The successful meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden in San Francisco had established the future-oriented “San Francisco Vision,” which was of milestone significance, Wang said. The current important task for both sides is to extend the positive effects of the San Francisco meeting, implement the consensus of the two countries’ leaders, consolidate the stabilization of China-US relations, and promote the development of China-US relations toward a healthy, stable, and sustainable direction.

This aligns with the common interests of both China and the US and is the responsibility of two major countries, the Chinese diplomat said. Wang once again emphasized China’s stern position on the Taiwan question, demanding that the US must not interfere in China’s internal affairs or support or condone any “Taiwan independence” forces. The two diplomats also exchanged views on the Israel-Palestine conflict and agreed to maintain communication regarding the situation in the Middle East. Wang stated that the urgent priority was to achieve a ceasefire and end the conflict.