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Drama, drama, drama and more drama, that's all we had, watching what the Trump administration conducted with its foreign policy. Among which, China-U.S. relations went downstream, with almost an unstoppable free fall.
My American friends and colleagues told me that it's going to be different now because, after strenuous efforts, there is a new administration with a much more sophisticated view of the world and a much more civilized way of dealing with others. Top Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi might have been told something similar.
"I think we thought too well of the United States. We thought that the U.S. side will follow the necessary diplomatic protocols. So, for China, it is necessary that we made our position clear. So, let me say here that in front of the Chinese side, the U.S. does not have the qualification to say that it wants to speak to China from the position of strength.”
His reaction is not surprising after hearing how the U.S. delegation framed the high-level dialogue in its opening remarks. The rest, well, speaks for itself.
Mutually surprised might be those who pinned some hope on this meeting for bringing back at least a semblance of diplomacy.
"A Return to normalcy means that the two sides actually speak to each other, which frankly in the last two years has not been the case,”Greg Gilligan, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, told CGTN.
Meanwhile, Wesley Early, news director for KOTZ radio, Alaska, said, "Because so much of it is painted in this sort of antagonistic matter where it's like, it's China versus the United States. I think a lot of people just kind of automatically assume that the position has to be sort of animus, but I don't think that's true.”
Now, three rounds of talks have wrapped up, with both sides trying to conclude with cool manners, but separately.
"This time, strategic dialogue was direct, frank and constructive," said Yang.
At the same time, Jake Sullivan, US National Security advisor, said, "We'll continue to consult with allies and partners on the way forward and, of course, on issues ranging from Iran to Afghanistan through the normal diplomatic channels. We'll continue to work with China going forward.”
As I speak now, the Chinese delegation already put out a statement, talking about the concrete results of the talks. One of the concrete, actionable tasks both sides agreed on is setting up a joint working group on climate change. So, it gives at least some hope to the public about the sincerity and necessity of these kinds of high-level talks.
But I really wonder if it is good enough. For the two largest economies in the world to shoulder the responsibilities, they should cooperate on global issues that are important for everyone in the world, including those of you watching this video.
There has to be a climate change in how diplomacy is conducted and how it should be a good example for other aspects of China –U.S. relations. Being antagonistic, exaggerating threats, and putting on a show for the public are leftovers from the Trump administration. Using it as a bargaining chip to seek a deal is falling back to the old tricks of the Trump foreign policy. What we need is a responsible start, not a deepening wound from the Trump scar.
I'm Tian Wei, in Beijing.
World Insight with Tian Wei is an international platform for debate and intelligent discussion. It is the meeting point of both the highly influential and rising voices, facilitated by host Tian Wei. It provides nutrition to form your own thoughts and ideas through a 45-minute live debate and interviews.
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