The U.S. should reduce its “interference” in China’s domestic affairs and development in order to improve relations between the two countries, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday, CNBC reported.
Wang also emphasized his hope for cooperation, while pointing out ways in which the U.S. could change its approach.
The foreign minister was speaking to a group of U.S. business leaders via video on Monday, as the White House prepared for a transition of power. President Donald Trump has pursued a tough policy against China using methods such as tariffs and sanctions.
President-elect Joe Biden has said he won’t immediately remove tariffs, but will aim to work with other countries to put pressure on Beijing.
“The most urgent task at the moment is that both sides should work together and remove all kinds of interference, to achieve a smooth transition of China-U.S. relations,” Wang said, according to a CNBC translation of the Chinese text posted on the foreign ministry’s website.
“In the next phase of China-U.S. relations, (we should) strive to restart dialogue, return to the right track and rebuild mutual trust,” he said, noting any action should be of “mutual benefit” to both sides.
Tensions between the U.S. and China have escalated over the last few years, beginning with trade and eventually spilling into technology. The Trump administration has sought to address longstanding complaints that China’s state-dominated system has given the Asian country an unfair advantage as it grew into the world’s second-largest economy.
Beijing’s claim on Taiwan and its increased control of the semiautonomous region of Hong Kong — both issues China considers domestic — are among points of contention with the U.S. as well.
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