US-China talks amid efforts to avoid an unwanted conflict

2024-05-30 20:33:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

US Deputy Secretary of State, Kurt Campbell, will host China's Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu in Washington on Thursday. The talks aim to keep the lines of communication open to prevent miscalculations and unintended conflicts, especially in times of tension.

After two hours of face-to-face discussions, US and Chinese officials will hold a working lunch at the State Department. Later in the afternoon, US Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer will continue discussions with Mr Ma.

The visit of the Chinese official in Washington, Ma Zhaoxu, follows the visit of the top US diplomat, Antony Blinken, to Shanghai and Beijing in April.

Officials said the meeting is part of intensive diplomatic efforts between the United States and China to responsibly manage competition in relations between the two countries, even in areas where the sides disagree.

"As we continue to take action to protect our interests and values ??and those of our allies and partners, we are also using face-to-face diplomacy with China to clearly and directly communicate our positions and intentions, and make progress on bilateral issues , regional and global that matter to the American people and the world," a State Department spokesperson told VOA.

A spokesman for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that during his visit to the United States from May 30 to June 2, Mr Ma will "interact and communicate with representatives from various US sectors".

While visiting Beijing last month, Secretary Blinken expressed "serious concern" about China's support for the Russian defense industry, warning Chinese leaders that Washington could impose sanctions over the matter.

China has defended its approach to Russia, saying it is only engaged in normal economic exchanges with a major trading partner.

On Wednesday, US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell reiterated the US warning. He said Chinese support was helping to revitalize Russia's military capabilities, including long-range missiles, artillery and drones.

During his visit to Brussels, the State Department's second-highest diplomat stressed the urgent need for European and NATO countries to "send a joint message of concern to China over its actions, which we consider are destabilizing in the heart of Europe".

The latest talks between the United States and China come just days after China conducted a two-day large-scale military exercise around Taiwan involving 111 aircraft and 46 ships.

Washington has repeatedly urged Beijing to exercise restraint, stressing the importance of maintaining peace and stability along the Taiwan Strait.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for China and Taiwan Mark Lambert held a virtual conversation with China's Director-General for Border and Ocean Affairs Hong Liang on May 23. During the conversation, Mr. Lambert expressed deep concerns about the military exercises of the Chinese army in the Straits and around Taiwan./ Voa