Chinese FM: US should pursue win-win cooperation, not confrontation

World Today

Mike Pompeo,Wang YiU.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, shakes hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi before their meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, Monday, Oct. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, Pool)

The U.S. should work with China to pursue the path of win-win cooperation instead of taking the wrong approach of conflict and confrontation, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said while meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Beijing on Monday, a day after Pompeo made his fourth visit to Pyongyang.

As the China-U.S. dispute continues to escalate, the U.S. side has taken a slew of actions that undermine the rights and interests of China on issues such as Taiwan. The U.S. has also made unwarranted accusations against China’s domestic and foreign policies, Wang said.

The U.S. moves have directly impacted mutual trust and cast shadows on bilateral ties, Wang added.

“We demand the U.S. stop the unwarranted accusations and wrongdoings against China immediately,” Wang said.

Pompeo said the U.S. has no intention to contain China’s development, and in the meantime, it will keep to the one-China policy and push forward communication and cooperation.

Wang told Pompeo that China believes the U.S. wants to discuss the DPRK issue with Beijing, which shows the two countries, who are permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, need to strengthen their communication and take international responsibility.

This kind of cooperation requires healthy and stable bilateral ties, Wang said.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the China-U.S. joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations, and Wang said cooperation is the only right choice for both countries.

The Chinese foreign ministry also commented on China-U.S. ties following Wang’s meeting with Pompeo. It said the U.S. should stop its harmful actions and cooperate with China on building better bilateral ties.

“Minister Wang Yi has pointed out a series of wrong actions of late by the U.S. We believe those actions are counter-productive to enhancing trust and cooperation between China and the U.S. We hope the U.S. can change its course and get back on track, where it can work with China and promote the healthy development of China-U.S. ties,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said on Monday.