Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Monday (9/10), expressed his hope that Washington and Beijing could resolve the differences between the two countries “more rationally.” This was revealed when he met with senior members of the United States (US) parliament who were on an official visit.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is the latest top US official to visit China as Washington seeks to ease tensions with Beijing. Schumer is leading a delegation consisting of six people who hope to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Wang Yi, in his meeting with Schumer at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, told the senate delegation that he hoped their visit would help the two sides “manage existing differences more rationally, helping relations between the two countries return to a healthy development track.”
He also hoped the delegation would “understand China more accurately” after completing their visit, which comes as the world is in a “turbulent time of change.” “The crisis in Ukraine has not subsided, and war has re-emerged in the Middle East,” he said.
US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and US Senator Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and other members of the delegation meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, at the Diaoyutai Guest House, Beijing, Monday, October 9, 2023. (Photo: Andy Wong via REUTERS)
“These challenges need to be addressed by the international community, and China and the US must play their roles,” Wang said.
Schumer, for his part, thanked the Chinese delegation for their hospitality, and noted there were several issues of “grave concern” he wanted to address during his visit.
He said that “creating a level playing field for U.S. businesses and workers” was his delegation’s “ultimate goal.”
“Holding accountable the China-based companies that supplied the deadly chemicals that fueled the fentanyl crisis in the US” is another goal, he told Wang, as is “making sure China does not support Russia’s immoral war against Ukraine.”
“Advancing human rights” is an additional priority, Schumer said.
Visiting US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a bilateral meeting at the Diaoyutai Guest House in Beijing, Monday, October 9, 2023. (Photo: Andy Wong via REUTERS)
Difficult Times
But Schumer admitted he was “very disappointed” with Beijing’s Foreign Ministry statement on Sunday (8/10) regarding violence between Israel and Palestine when Hamas invaded Israeli territory.
Beijing called on Sunday (8/10) for all parties to be “calm” and “immediately (implement) a ceasefire.”
They did not explicitly condemn the Palestinian attacks that claimed hundreds of lives in Israel. But Beijing is pressing for a two-state solution to end the violence.
“The events that have occurred in Israel over the last several days have been horrific,” Schumer said.
“I urge you and the Chinese people to stand with the Israeli people and condemn these cowardly and despicable attacks,” he said.
“The State Department statement… shows no sympathy or support for Israel during these trying and difficult times,” Schumer added.
On Saturday (7/10), Schumer met with Chen Jining, the chief official of the ruling Chinese Communist Party in Shanghai, according to a report. Schumer stressed that the US “does not want to separate our economies.” (ah/rs)