US Ambassador to Beijing: We are ready to meet with China

According to the CNN report, Ambassador Burns spoke online at an event hosted by the Stimson Center, a Washington-based think tank.

Emphasizing that the United States is not in favor of freezing communication, Burns said: “We are of the opinion that better channels of communication, deeper channels should be established between the two governments. We are ready to negotiate with China, we never hesitate. We hope that the Chinese side will agree with us on this issue.” saying.

Burns stressed the need for broad-based communication at the cabinet level, noting that the US Secretary of State’s visit will be rescheduled “when conditions are right.”

Pointing to recent tides in the access of US government officials, including cabinet members, to their counterparts in Beijing, Burns said: “At this point, it’s not easy to predict how contacts will be restored, but never we have supported a freeze on relations.” he used the phrases.

“STATEMENT DROPPED ABOUT PELOSI’S VISIT”

Burns said they had a more comfortable period of communication with Beijing early last summer, but the Chinese side cut off communication on the eve of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, who is in dispute with China. China in August 2022.

Noting that he had the opportunity to meet with senior Chinese officials again after the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) National Congress in October 2022, Burns said that US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping held the G20 Summit in Indonesia. in November. 2022. He also noted that their meeting in Turkey was “a very positive and productive contact”.

Recalling that Blinken’s visit, which had been planned for early February of this year, was postponed following the high-altitude balloon crisis, Burns said it was set. he said.

Noting that during this period they had the opportunity to convey important messages, business insights and speak at length about sometimes difficult issues, Burns emphasized that a more comprehensive relationship was needed.

“MEETING ZELENSKY IS A POSITIVE FIRST STEP”

Ambassador Burns described President Xi’s meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky on April 26, for the first time since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, as a “positive first step.”

Emphasizing that the United States hopes to convince China and Russia to end the war in Ukraine, Burns said:

“It would be nice if China could dissuade Russia from bombing schools, hospitals and civilian apartments in Ukraine. In the last month or two alone, many lives have been lost due to brutal Russian air and drone strikes on Ukrainian civilians. This is what we and I am sure the European countries and Ukraine want from China.” (AA)