China’s new ambassador avoids queries on foreign minister’s disappearance amidst US and Taiwan tensions.
Chinese President Xi Jinping Aims to Prevent Taiwanese Vice President’s US Visit
According to a top Chinese ambassador, Chinese President Xi Jinping is determined to stop Taiwanese Vice President Lai Ching-te from visiting the United States. The ambassador characterizes this potential trip as a brewing crisis.
“The provocative, adventurist moves by Taiwan’s separatists should be contained,” Ambassador Xie Feng said Wednesday. “And now the priority for us is to stop [Lai Ching-te] from visiting the United States, which is like a gray rhino charging at us.”
Impending Visit and US Response
Lai reportedly plans to travel to Paraguay via the United States next month, following Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s transit through New York and California earlier this year. President Joe Biden’s team has indicated that the passage should occur “without incident.” However, the new Chinese envoy to the United States attempted to undermine this confidence while also projecting a cooperative stance during his debut at the Aspen Security Forum.
“We want to grow together with the United States… we should say goodbye to the Cold War mentality,” he said. “We should say goodbye to the zero-sum game, and we should avoid a major country conflict.”
Concerns over Chinese Foreign Minister’s Absence
During the conversation, the Chinese ambassador maintained a friendly tone. However, when asked about the absence of Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, Xie became evasive. Qin has not been seen in public for 23 days, raising questions about his status. Chinese officials claimed he missed a meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken due to health reasons and was replaced by Wang Yi, the highest-ranking diplomat of the Chinese Communist Party.
While Beijing has kept information about Qin’s status under wraps, even the Chinese state media ecosystem has expressed discomfort with the silence.
China’s Perspective and US-China Relations
Chinese officials have praised Henry Kissinger’s recent visit to Beijing as a model for improving US-China relations. They believe that Kissinger-style diplomatic wisdom and Nixon-style political courage are necessary to bring the relationship back on track after years of tensions.
However, the Chinese ambassador expressed concerns about Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its sovereign territory. He sees Taiwan’s separatist agenda and its pursuit of US support as a threat to the optimistic outlook for US-China relations.
“Now the two imposing threats… is the Taiwan separatist advancing their separatist agenda, seeking U.S. support,” he said. “They even do not admit they are Chinese. So this is a very dangerous path they are taking. Second, is the United States playing the Taiwan card to contain China.”
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...