Page 28 - bon-dia-aruba-20210320

A28 u.s. NEWs
Diasabra 20 Maart 2021

US, China spar in 1st face-to-face meetings under Biden

National security adviser Jake trip to Japan and South Korea
Sullivan amplified the criti- were entirely different from A senior Biden administra-
cism, saying China has un- the Chinese position. tion official said that despite
dertaken an "assault on basic the acrimonious public air-
values." "I'm hearing deep satisfaction ing of differences, the initial
that the United States is back, closed-door discussions had
"We do not seek conflict but that we're reengaged," Blink- been "substantive, serious
we welcome stiff competi- en retorted. "I'm also hearing and direct" and lasted far lon-
tion," he said. deep concern about some of ger than the two hours that
the actions your government been planned.
Yang responded angrily by is taking."
demanding the U.S. stop U.S.-China ties have been
pushing its own version of Underscoring the animosity, torn for years, and the Biden
democracy at a time when the State Department blasted administration has yet to sig-
the United States itself has the Chinese delegation for nal whether it's ready or will-
(AP) — Top U.S. and Chi- were a new test in increasing- been roiled by domestic dis- violating an agreed upon two- ing to back away from the
nese officials met again ly troubled relations between content. He also accused the minute time limit for open- hard-line stances taken under
Friday after sparring over the two countries, which are U.S. of failing to deal with its ing statements and suggested Donald Trump.
sharply different views of at odds over a range of issues own human rights problems it "seem(ed) to have arrived
each other and the world from trade to human rights and took issue with what he intent on grandstanding, fo- Just a day before the meet-
in their first face-to-face in Tibet, Hong Kong and said was "condescension" cused on public theatrics and ing, Blinken had announced
talks since President Joe China's western Xinjiang re- from Blinken, Sullivan and dramatics over substance." new sanctions over Beijing's
Biden took office. gion, as well as over Taiwan, other U.S. officials. crackdown on pro-democra-
China's assertiveness in the "We believe that it is impor- "America's approach will be cy advocates in Hong Kong.
The two sides gathered for a South China Sea and the tant for the United States to undergirded by confidence In response, China stepped
new session a day after a con- coronavirus pandemic. change its own image and to in our dealing with Beijing up its rhetoric opposing U.S.
tentious opening in which stop advancing its own de- — which we are doing from interference in domestic af-
they traded harsh barbs. The Blinken said the Biden ad- mocracy in the rest of the a position of strength — even fairs and complained directly
U.S. accused the Chinese ministration is united with its world," he said. "Many peo- as we have the humility to about it.
delegation of "grandstanding" allies in pushing back against ple within the United States know that we are a country
and Beijing fired back, saying China's increasing authori- actually have little confidence eternally striving to become a "Is this a decision made by the
there was a "strong smell of tarianism and assertiveness at in the democracy of the more perfect union," it said. United States to try to gain
gunpowder and drama" that home and abroad. Yang then United States." some advantage in dealing
was entirely the fault of the unloaded a list of Chinese Chinese Foreign Minis- with China?" State Council-
Americans. complaints about the U.S. "China will not accept un- try spokesman Zhao Lijian, or Wang Yi asked. "Certainly
and accused Washington of warranted accusations from speaking later in Beijing, this is miscalculated and only
U.S. Secretary of State Anto- hypocrisy for criticizing Bei- the U.S. side," he said, add- said Blinken and Sullivan reflects the vulnerability and
ny Blinken said the Biden ad- jing on human rights and ing that recent developments had provoked Chinese offi- weakness inside the United
ministration is united with its other issues. had plunged relations "into a cials into making a "solemn States and it will not shake
allies in pushing back against "Each of these actions threat- period of unprecedented dif- response" after U.S. officials China's position or resolve
Chinese authoritarianism. en the rules-based order that ficulty" that "has damaged the made "groundless attacks" on those issues."
Chinese Communist Party maintains global stability," interests of our two peoples." against China.
foreign affairs chief Yang Jie- Blinken said of China's ac- Trump had taken pride in
chi accused Washington of tions in Xinjiang, Hong Kong "There is no way to strangle "It was the U.S. side that ... forging what he saw as a
hypocrisy on human rights and Taiwan, and of cyber at- China," he said. provoked the dispute in the strong relationship with Chi-
and other issues. tacks on the United States first place, so the two sides nese leader Xi Jinping. But
and economic coercion Blinken appeared to be an- had a strong smell of gun- the relationship disintegrated
The contentious tone of their against U.S. allies. "That's noyed by the tenor and length powder and drama from the after the coronavirus pan-
public comments suggested why they're not merely inter- of the comments, which went beginning in the opening re- demic spread from the Wu-
the private discussions would nal matters, and why we feel on for more than 15 minutes. marks. It was not the origi- han province across the globe
be even rockier. an obligation to raise these is- He said his impressions from nal intention of the Chinese and unleashed a public health
sues here today." speaking with world leaders side," Zhao told reporters at a and economic disaster.
The meetings in Anchorage and on his just-concluded daily briefing.

US moves to reengage Europe in person after Trump snubs

(AP) — America's top dip- bersecurity, terrorism and including in Europe, where front with allies against Rus- sia and China.
lomat is heading to Europe energy security. Trump had strained them
next week as the Biden ad- with a series of demands
ministration moves to re- "The meetings in Brussels ranging from increasing de-
store closer U.S. ties with reaffirm the United States' fense spending to trade and
European and NATO al- commitment to our allies and cooperation on threats posed
lies after four years of European partners on our by Russia and China.
snubs and tension under shared agenda," State Depart-
former President Donald ment spokesman Ned Price The trip to Brussels will
Trump. said in a statement. be Blinken's second over-
seas journey since becoming
The State Department an- Blinken's trip is centered on America's top diplomat. He
nounced Friday that Secre- the annual spring meeting of will return to Washington
tary of State Antony Blinken NATO foreign ministers but early Saturday from Japan,
will visit Brussels for the ad- will also include talks with South Korea and Alaska. In
ministration's first in-person top EU and Belgian officials. Anchorage, he and national
talks with transatlantic lead- security adviser Jake Sul-
ers. It said Blinken would The Biden administration livan held contentious talks
focus on concerns over Af- has placed great emphasis with top Chinese officials in
ghanistan, China, Iran and on repairing relations with which they maintained the
Russia, climate change, cy- U.S. allies around the world, U.S. is forging a common