Chinese FM announces 5 Objectives during Blinken’s Visit

The Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs published an article on its WeChat official account, declaring five main objectives of the Chinese side during Secretary Blinken's visit to China.

It said:

First, to establish a correct understanding. This is always the "first button" that needs to be fastened in Sino-US relations. Whether China and the US are partners or competitors is a fundamental question that cannot afford disruptive mistakes. We firmly believe that great power competition should not be the dominant theme of this era, nor can it solve the problems faced by China, the US, and the world. As two major countries, China and the US cannot avoid contact or engagement, let alone confrontational conflicts. The China-US relationship should be stabilized, improved, and move forward along a path of stability, health, and sustainability. At the same time, China has interests that must be safeguarded, principles that must be defended, and bottom lines that must be upheld. President Biden has repeatedly emphasized that the United States does not seek a "new Cold War," does not seek to change the Chinese system, does not seek to contain China's development, does not seek to counter China by strengthening alliances, does not support "Taiwan independence," has no intention to engage in conflict with China, and does not seek decoupling from China. We urge the US side to implement President Biden's aforementioned commitments and work with China to turn the "San Francisco vision" into reality, instead of continuing to engage in containment and suppression under the name of "competition." The diplomatic teams of both sides will continue to engage in consultations on guiding principles for China-US relations, based on the seven consensus points of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, communication, conflict prevention, adherence to the UN Charter, cooperation in areas of shared interest, and responsible management of bilateral relations.

(第一，树立正确认知。这始终是中美关系必须扣好的“第一粒纽扣”。中美到底是伙伴还是对手，这是一个根本性的问题，不能犯颠覆性错误。我们始终认为，大国竞争不是这个时代的底色，也解决不了中美两国和世界面临的问题。中美两个大国，不能不来往、不打交道，更不能冲突对抗。中美关系应该稳下来，好起来，沿着稳定、健康、可持续的道路向前走。同时，中国有必须维护的利益、必须捍卫的原则、必须坚守的底线。拜登总统多次重申美国不寻求进行“新冷战”，不寻求改变中国体制，不寻求遏制中国发展，不寻求通过强化同盟关系反对中国，不支持“台独”，无意同中国发生冲突，以及不寻求同中国“脱钩”等。我们敦促美方将拜登总统上述承诺落到实处，同中方一道，将“旧金山愿景”变成实景，而不是继续以“竞争”之名行对华围堵遏制打压之实。双方外交团队将在已经达成的相互尊重、和平共处、保持沟通、防止冲突、恪守联合国宪章、在有共同利益的领域开展合作、负责任地管控双边关系中的竞争因素7点共识基础上，继续进行中美关系指导原则磋商。)

Second, to strengthen dialogue. Since the meeting in San Francisco, China and the US have engaged in a series of important contacts at various levels and in various fields. Officials from both sides in diplomacy, security, economy, trade, finance, climate change, law enforcement, agriculture, culture, and other sectors have maintained interaction through visits, meetings, phone calls, and working group meetings. Military communication has also been restored. The more than 20 mechanisms established or restarted during the San Francisco meeting continue to operate. The door to dialogue and communication from the Chinese side has always been open. At the same time, the US side must realize that communication should not be just for the sake of communication. Inconsistent words and actions should be avoided, and it is futile to imagine engaging with China based on the so-called "position of strength." The so-called US alliance system is a product of the Cold War era, reflecting outdated Cold War thinking and a zero-sum game mentality of "you lose, I win." The US indulging in forming an anti-China clique by dragging its allies is going against the tide, lacks popular support, and leads nowhere.

(第二，加强对话。旧金山会晤以来，中美在各层级各领域开展了一系列重要接触，双方外交安全、经贸财金、气候变化以及执法、农业、文化等部门负责人通过访问、会晤、通话、工作组会议等方式保持互动，两军恢复沟通。旧金山会晤建立或重启的20多个机制性磋商持续运转。中方对话沟通的大门始终是敞开的。同时美方必须认识到，不能为沟通而沟通，不能说一套做一套，更不要幻想从所谓“实力地位”出发同中方打交道。所谓的美盟体系是冷战时期的产物，体现的是过时的冷战思维和你输我赢的零和博弈理念。美方沉迷于裹挟盟友搞反华小圈子，完全是逆潮流而动，不得人心，也没有出路。)

Third, to effectively manage differences. China and the US have had, currently have, and will continue to have differences. However, these differences should not dominate the China-US relationship, and it is necessary to manage the relationship comprehensively. The US side, in particular, must not touch the red lines concerning Taiwan, democracy and human rights, the system and path of development, and the right to development. China is resolute and unwavering in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security, and development interests. It will clearly state its position and make explicit demands on issues such as Taiwan, economic, trade, and technological matters, and the South China Sea.

(第三，有效管控分歧。中美过去、现在、将来都会存在分歧，但不能让分歧主导中美关系，必须对中美关系坚持全过程管理。美方尤其不能触碰中方在台湾、民主人权、道路制度、发展权利等问题上的红线。中方维护国家主权、安全、发展利益的决心和意志坚定不移，将重点就台湾、经贸科技、南海等问题阐明严正立场、提出明确要求。)

Fourth, to promote mutually beneficial cooperation. Over a period of time, progress has been made in areas such as drug control, law enforcement, technology, artificial intelligence, agriculture, health, and climate change. Direct flights between the two countries have increased, and there is close interaction between the business communities and local provinces and states. Youth exchanges are active, and there is vibrant cultural and sports interaction. The cooperative efforts in giant panda conservation are proceeding in an orderly manner. These examples fully demonstrate that China and the US have extensive common interests and can achieve mutual benefits and win-win outcomes. They also highlight the fact that the hope for China-US relations lies in the people, the foundation lies in the public, the future lies with the youth, and the vitality lies in local engagement.

(第四，推进互利合作。一段时间来，双方在禁毒、执法、科技、人工智能、农业、卫生、气变等领域取得了一些进展。两国直航航班增加，工商界和地方省州往来密切，青少年交流活跃，文体互动热络，大熊猫保护合作有序推进。这些充分说明，中美有着广泛的共同利益，可以互利共赢，也充分说明中美关系的希望在人民、基础在民间、未来在青年、活力在地方。)

Fifth, to jointly shoulder the responsibilities of major powers. As permanent members of the UN Security Council, both China and the US bear a special responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. China has played a constructive and responsible role in addressing hot issues such as the Middle East, Ukraine, and the Korean Peninsula, and we hope that the US will do the same.

(第五，共同承担大国责任。中美同为安理会常任理事国，对维护国际和平与安全负有特殊责任。中方在中东、乌克兰、朝鲜半岛等热点问题上发挥着建设性、负责任的大国作用，我们希望美方同样如此。)

The article also said that when asked about recent negative moves by the US, such as holding leadership summits with Japan and the Philippines, the spokesperson for the Department expressed serious concerns over US recent actions and statements in the region as part of its "Indo-Pacific strategy" and around China. The US deployment of intermediate-range missile systems in the Philippines has escalated tensions in the region and increased the risk of misunderstanding and misjudgment. The formation of the "AUKUS" among the US, UK, and Australia, and their insistence on developing nuclear submarines in the region, has sparked serious risks of nuclear proliferation and intensified an arms race. The Asia-Pacific region is not anyone's backyard, and it should not become an arena for great power rivalry. We urge the US to genuinely respect the security concerns of other countries and the efforts of regional countries to maintain peace and stability, to abandon Cold War mentality, to stop creating military tensions and camp confrontations, and to stop forming anti-China containment circles in the vicinity of China.

(在被问及如何看待美近日同日本、菲律宾举行领导人峰会等消极动向时，美大司负责人表示，中方已就美近期针对中国推进“印太战略”，在中国周边采取一系列涉华错误言行表明严重关切。美方在菲律宾部署中程导弹发射系统，加剧地区紧张局势，增加误解误判风险。美英澳拼凑的“三方安全伙伴关系”，执意在地区进行核潜艇开发，引发严重核扩散风险，加剧军备竞赛。亚太地区不是谁的后花园，不应该成为大国角斗场。我们敦促美方切实尊重他国安全关切和地区国家维护和平稳定的努力，摒弃冷战思维，停止制造军事紧张和阵营对抗，停止在中国周边拼凑反华遏华“小圈子”。)

Regarding the US claim to express concerns about human rights issues during this visit, the spokesperson for the Department stated that issues related to Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong are all internal affairs of China and have nothing to do with so-called human rights. The US has no right to interfere in China's internal affairs under the pretext of human rights. Human rights are not the exclusive patent of any country. The people of each country have the most say in their own human rights situation. The US should first address its own human rights issues and is not qualified to point fingers at other countries.

(针对美方声称将在此访中就人权问题表达关切，美大司负责人表示，涉疆、涉藏、涉港问题都是中国内政，与所谓人权无关，美方不得以人权为借口干涉中国内政。人权不是哪个国家的专利。一国人权怎么样，各自人民最有发言权。美方应该首先正视自身人权问题，没有资格对他国指手画脚。)

When asked about the concerns in Chinese society regarding the harassment and even repatriation of Chinese students by the US, the spokesperson for the Department stated that the US has been broadening the concept of national security and arbitrarily canceling visas, prohibiting entry, and forcibly repatriating Chinese students without concrete evidence. This has caused great harm to those individuals, and the "little black rooms" at some US airports have become a nightmare for Chinese students. These actions contradict the US's statements about facilitating and supporting cultural exchanges between the two countries. China will continue to urge the US to stop poisoning the public opinion environment, obstructing friendly exchanges between the two peoples, rectifying its wrong practices, thoroughly investigating relevant cases, and giving a proper explanation to the victims. The Chinese government is committed to serving the people and will continue to take measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens.

(在谈到中国社会高度关注的美方盘查滋扰甚至遣返中国留学生问题时，美大司负责人表示，美方不断泛化国家安全概念，在没有确切证据的情况下随意对中国留学生取消签证、禁止入境、强制遣返，给当事人造成极大伤害，美一些机场的“小黑屋”成为中国留学生的“噩梦”，同美方便利和支持两国人文交流的表态南辕北辙。中方将继续敦促美方停止毒化两国民意环境，停止阻挠两国人民友好交流，纠正错误做法，对有关案件进行彻查，还受害者一个说法。中国政府执政为民，将继续采取措施，坚决维护中国公民正当合法权益。)