A senior White House official stated that the reestablishment of constructive diplomacy with Beijing will depend on the success of efforts to build a floor under U.S.-China relations in the coming months, reiterating the need for crisis mechanisms similar to those used during the “Cold War.”
Kurt Campbell, who is in charge of the Indo-Pacific area, claimed that the United States made it clear to China that it was ready for another talk between President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
At a CNAS event, he declared, “We’re prepared, and from our perspective, we want to maintain the lines of communication open, and that is our goal.”
President Joseph Biden indicated he wants to clear the air with Chinese President Xi after a U.S. fighter jet shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon last month. Yet, this has not transpired, and tensions have risen.
Campbell claimed that it would be a “responsible move” to establish such systems given that Chinese and American military troops worked in close proximity, but that the Chinese have been “reluctant to participate in conversations about confidence-building or crisis communications, or hotlines.”
The buildings “were built during the Cold War, and we feel that they are still applicable now,” he added.
The United States and China, according to Campbell, have entered a new era of competitive ties.
“There is also a feeling that in many respects our efforts to build a foundation, a floor underneath the relationship, and guardrails have not been successful,” he continued, referring to U.S. goals when Biden and Xi met in November in Bali.
“In the next months, it should become apparent whether or not the United States and China can resume productive, predictable, and constructive conversation.
Beijing warns Taiwan about the meeting
Beijing has warned that a meeting between Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy next week in Los Angeles might lead to a “serious collision” in U.S.-China relations. Tsai Ing-wen arrived in New York on Wednesday en way to Central America.
Numerous analysts argue that the current state of U.S.-China ties is the worst since 1979, when the United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing.
The United States will boost its funding, engagements, assistance, and support in the Indo-Pacific area, notwithstanding the turmoil in Ukraine, according to Campbell.
He noted India, which is slated to attend a summit of the so-called Quad countries in May in Australia, and said that the relationship between India and the United States is the most important of the 21st century.
“He went on to explain that Washington wants more Indian students in American institutions and more Americans in Indian schools, so he is confident that the two nations would ultimately work together more closely.
According to Campbell, the United States has a “ambitious agenda” for the November APEC forum summit it will host, and Biden will announce measures to address the United States’ determination to play “not only a security, diplomatic, and political role in the region, but also a vibrant economic and commercial role.”
