Liu Jianchao, who leads the CCP’s diplomatic arm, joined US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in closed-door discussions on Friday morning as part of his ongoing American visit to promote what he described as “common understanding”.
“The two sides had a constructive discussion on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues, including areas of potential cooperation,” the US State Department added in a terse readout of the meeting that also cited “areas of difference” without eloborating.
Blinken “reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the South China Sea”, the account added.
Xie Feng, China’s ambassador to the US, also attended the meeting, as did US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for China and Taiwan Mark Lambert.
The meeting on Friday came at a highly sensitive time for both countries as they wait to see how voters in self-ruled Taiwan cast their ballots Saturday for a new president and parliament.
Beijing hits out over Washington’s plan to send unofficial delegation to Taiwan
Beijing hits out over Washington’s plan to send unofficial delegation to Taiwan
Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. Like most countries, the US does not recognise Taiwan as an independent state.
But Washington maintains robust unofficial ties with Taipei, opposes any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons – positions that anger Beijing.
Why does Taiwan matter so much to both mainland China and the US?
Why does Taiwan matter so much to both mainland China and the US?
Liu on Thursday stated China’s positions on “issues like Taiwan” at a meeting with US deputy national security adviser Jonathan Finer, according to a Chinese readout.