Top Chinese diplomat says US relations are at ‘new crossroads’



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SHANGHAI: China’s relationship with the United States has reached a “new crossroads” and could return to the right path after a period of “unprecedented difficulties,” said senior diplomat Wang Yi in official remarks published on Saturday (2 from January).

Relations between the world’s two largest economies have come under increasing strain amid a series of disputes over trade, human rights and the origins of COVID-19. In its latest move, the United States blacklisted dozens of Chinese companies that it said had ties to the military.

Wang, China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister, said in a joint interview with the Xinhua news agency and other state media that recent US policies toward China have damaged the interests of both countries and brought enormous dangers to the country. world.

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But now there is an opportunity for the two sides to “open a new window of hope” and begin a new round of dialogue, he said.

Wang urged the United States to “respect the social system and development path” chosen by China, adding that if Washington “learns lessons”, the conflicts between the two sides could be resolved.

“We know that some people in the United States are concerned about China’s rapid development, but the most sustainable leadership is to move forward constantly, rather than blocking the development of other countries,” he said.

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US politicians have accused China of covering up the COVID-19 outbreak during its early stages, delaying its response and allowing the disease to spread much faster and faster.

But Wang said China had done everything possible to combat the spread of the virus, “sounding the alarm” for the rest of the world.

“We ran against time and were the first to report the epidemic to the world,” he said. “More and more studies show that the epidemic most likely arose in many parts of the world.”

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