Thursday, August 29, 2024

Necessary Narrative Tropes; Readouts of the Coming Together of Wang Yi and Jack Sullivan in Beijing

 

Pix credit here

 

Pix credit here
The history of the theater of US Chinese gatherings from the beginning of the administration of President Biden in 2021 started off as absurdist theater and has since moved to burlesque in all of its senses. That seems to suit the times, and the strategic interests. While clarity respecting these choices presumably pervades the hallways of the foreign ministries (and the security apparatus) of each state, it remains deeply mysterious, in a sort of serialized television drama. At the same time, the history of the interactions continues to assert its power over subsequent meetings in ways that move the necessary scripting of burlesque into something that s constrained by th dead hand of the past reanimated--a zombie burlesque.

Yet that is precisely the source of its power to shape and be shaped by the constraints and conventions of the narrative field within which each side must operate. It is in the small spaces of clarity that may open within the larger necessary spectacle of the narrative exaggeration at the comic core of burlesque that one might find something of interest. A variety of different audiences are partially sated, the consumers  of this theater are treated to the satisfaction of their expectations, news organs are given something "juicy" to fill their feeds, and hopefully, embedded somewhere, something useful  has been sent and received from both sides.

It is with that on mind that the meeting of Jake Sullivan, representing the state apparatus of the United States and Wang Yi, representing the state apparatus of the Peoples Republic of China, provides a necessary theater, a display of the necessary tropes that shape the form of the dialogue that might be understood as effectively pre-scripting the event, and then also the very small inter-spaces where something of significance might be gleaned. 

To that end one might enjoy the visuals of that meeting--at least the part recorded for public consumption, and ne might study the so-called read outs of the event prepared to reflect each f their perspectives. Both follow below. One acquires a substantial amount of enlightenment from (1) what is said; (2) what is left unsaid; and (3) the textual tone;  (4) the effective use of visuals; and (5) the sum of the differences in perspective that this produces.

Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s meeting with Chinese Communist Party Politburo Member, Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met on August 27-28 with Chinese Communist Party Politburo Member, Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi outside Beijing, China.  This meeting was part of ongoing efforts to maintain channels of communication and responsibly manage the relationship between the United States and the People’s Republic of China (PRC), as discussed by President Biden and President Xi at the November 2023 Woodside Summit.  

The two sides held candid, substantive, and constructive discussions on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues.  They discussed progress and next steps on implementation of the Woodside Summit commitments, including counternarcotics, military-to-military communications, and AI safety and risk.  Both sides welcomed ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication, including planning for a leader-level call in the coming weeks.  They noted the importance of regular, ongoing military-to-military communications and planned to hold a theater commander telephone call in the near future.  Mr. Sullivan and Director Wang discussed next steps to reduce the flow of illicit synthetic drugs, continue repatriation of undocumented migrants, and law enforcement cooperation.  They underscored the importance of concrete steps to tackle the climate crisis and welcomed further discussions during Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy John Podesta’s upcoming travel to China. 

Mr. Sullivan emphasized that the United States will continue to take necessary actions to prevent advanced U.S. technologies from being used to undermine our national security, without unduly limiting trade or investment.  He also raised continued concerns about the PRC’s unfair trade policies and non-market economic practices.  Mr. Sullivan reiterated that it remains a top priority to resolve the cases of American citizens who are wrongfully detained or subject to exit bans in China.  He also underscored the long-standing U.S. commitment to universal human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Mr. Sullivan underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.  He emphasized concerns about the PRC’s support for Russia’s defense industrial base and its impact on European and transatlantic security.  Mr. Sullivan reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to defending its Indo-Pacific allies and expressed concern about the PRC’s destabilizing actions against lawful Philippine maritime operations in the South China Sea.  The two sides also discussed shared concerns about the DPRK, Burma, and the Middle East.

Mr. Sullivan and Director Wang noted the importance of this strategic channel of communication over the past eighteen months and committed to maintaining high-level diplomacy and working level consultations on an ongoing basis.

###

 

王毅同美国总统国家安全事务助理沙利文举行战略沟通

2024-08-28 18:43

 





2024年8月27日至28日,中共中央政治局委员、中央外办主任王毅在北京同美国总统国家安全事务助理沙利文举行新一轮战略沟通,进行了坦诚、实质性、建设性讨论。

王毅表示,中美关系历经跌宕起伏,梳理其中的经验教训,有助于更好开辟未来,找到中美两个大国的正确相处之道。

一是中美关系要保持正确方向,关键在于两国元首把舵引航。双方应该秉持相互尊重、和平共处、合作共赢原则,落实两国元首共识,推动中美关系稳定、健康、可持续发展。

二是中美两国要避免冲突对抗,关键在于遵守三个联合公报。要维护两国建交的政治基础,尊重中国的主权和领土完整,尊重中国的政治制度和发展道路,尊重中国人民的正当发展权利。

三是中美互动要顺利开展,关键在于平等相待。从实力地位出发不是国与国交往的正确方式。

四是中美关系要行稳致远,关键在于巩固民意基础。应当为人民之间的交往搭建更多桥梁、铺设更多道路,而不是设置障碍。

五是中美双方要实现和平共处,关键在于树立正确认知。中国对内致力于让中国人民过上美好生活,对外努力为世界和平发展作出更大贡献。美方不能用自己走过的道路臆测中国,也不要用国强必霸的模板镜像中国。



王毅介绍了中国共产党二十届三中全会精神,强调这次会议是中国改革开放新的重要里程碑,为外界读懂中国提供了新视野,为各国共同发展提供了新机遇。

王毅强调,台湾属于中国,中国必将统一。“台独”是台海和平稳定的最大风险。美方应当把不支持“台独”的承诺落到实处,恪守一个中国原则和中美三个联合公报,停止武装台湾,支持中国和平统一。

王毅指出,各国安全必须是共同、综合、合作、可持续的,本国的安全不能建立在他国不安全的基础上。国家安全需要有明确边界,特别是在经济领域更要科学界定。美方应停止在经贸和科技领域打压中国,停止损害中方正当利益。以“产能过剩”为借口搞保护主义,只会损害全球绿色发展,影响世界经济增长。

王毅强调,中国坚定维护对南海诸岛的领土主权和海洋权益,维护《南海各方行为宣言》的严肃性和有效性。美国不得以双边条约为借口损害中国的主权和领土完整,不得支持纵容菲律宾采取侵权行为。



沙利文表示,美中之间有分歧,有竞争,也有很多需要合作的领域。同意应以平等的方式对待对方,竞争也应当是健康、公平的。美国无意同中国脱钩。美方坚持一个中国政策,不支持“台湾独立”,不支持“两个中国”,不支持“一中一台”。美国和中国将长久地在这个星球上和平共存,美国的政策目标就是要找到让美中关系可持续发展的办法。美方愿同中方继续保持战略沟通,增进相互了解、减少误解误判。

双方还就乌克兰、中东及朝鲜半岛等问题交换了意见。王毅表示,中国始终致力于劝和促谈,推动政治解决乌克兰危机,我们会继续做正确的事情。美方不应向中方推卸责任,更不得滥施非法单边制裁。

双方就两国元首近期开展新一轮互动进行了讨论。同意继续落实两国元首旧金山会晤重要共识,保持高层交往和各层级沟通,继续开展禁毒、执法和非法移民遣返合作、应对气候变化等领域合作。同意适时举行两军战区领导视频通话、第二轮中美人工智能政府间对话等机制性安排。



Wang Yi holds strategic communication with US President's National Security Advisor Sullivan

2024-08-28 18:43

From August 27 to 28, 2024, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the Central Foreign Affairs Office, held a new round of strategic communication with US President's National Security Advisor Sullivan in Beijing and conducted candid, substantive and constructive discussions.

Wang Yi said that China-US relations have experienced ups and downs, and sorting out the lessons learned will help to better open up the future and find the right way for the two major countries of China and the United States to get along.

First, the key to maintaining the correct direction of China-US relations lies in the guidance of the two heads of state. The two sides should uphold the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, implement the consensus of the two heads of state, and promote the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-US relations.

Second, China and the United States should avoid conflict and confrontation, and the key lies in abiding by the three joint communiqués. It is necessary to maintain the political foundation for the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, respect China's political system and development path, and respect the legitimate development rights of the Chinese people.

Third, the key to the smooth development of China-US interactions lies in equal treatment. Starting from the position of strength is not the right way for countries to interact with each other.

Fourth, the key to the steady and long-term development of Sino-US relations lies in consolidating the public opinion foundation. More bridges should be built and more roads should be paved for exchanges between the people, rather than setting up obstacles.

Fifth, the key to the peaceful coexistence between China and the United States lies in establishing correct cognition. China is committed to letting the Chinese people live a better life internally and making greater contributions to world peace and development externally. The United States should not speculate on China based on the path it has taken, nor should it use the template of a strong country to dominate China.

Wang Yi introduced the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, emphasizing that this meeting is a new important milestone in China's reform and opening up, providing a new perspective for the outside world to understand China and providing new opportunities for the common development of all countries.

Wang Yi emphasized that Taiwan belongs to China and China will surely be unified. "Taiwan independence" is the biggest risk to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The United States should implement its commitment not to support "Taiwan independence", abide by the one-China principle and the three Sino-US joint communiqués, stop arming Taiwan, and support China's peaceful reunification.

Wang Yi pointed out that the security of all countries must be common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable, and the security of one's own country cannot be built on the basis of the insecurity of other countries. National security needs to have clear boundaries, especially in the economic field, which must be scientifically defined. The United States should stop suppressing China in the fields of economy, trade and science and technology, and stop undermining China's legitimate interests. Using "overcapacity" as an excuse to engage in protectionism will only harm global green development and affect world economic growth.

Wang Yi stressed that China firmly safeguards its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests over the South China Sea islands and the seriousness and effectiveness of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. The United States must not use bilateral treaties as an excuse to undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and must not support and condone the Philippines' infringement.

Sullivan said that there are differences and competition between the United States and China, and there are many areas where cooperation is needed. It is agreed that each other should be treated equally, and competition should also be healthy and fair. The United States has no intention of decoupling from China. The United States adheres to the one-China policy, does not support "Taiwan independence", "two Chinas", or "one China, one Taiwan". The United States and China will coexist peacefully on this planet for a long time, and the policy goal of the United States is to find a way to make the U.S.-China relationship sustainable. The United States is willing to continue to maintain strategic communication with China to enhance mutual understanding and reduce misunderstandings and misjudgments.

The two sides also exchanged views on issues such as Ukraine, the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula. Wang Yi said that China has always been committed to promoting peace and dialogue and promoting a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis, and we will continue to do the right thing. The United States should not shirk its responsibilities to China, let alone abuse illegal unilateral sanctions.

The two sides discussed a new round of interactions between the two heads of state in the near future. Agreed to continue to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state in the San Francisco meeting, maintain high-level exchanges and communication at all levels, and continue to cooperate in drug control, law enforcement and illegal immigrant repatriation, and address climate change. Agreed to hold a video call between the leaders of the two military theaters and the second round of China-US intergovernmental dialogue on artificial intelligence and other institutional arrangements at an appropriate time.

No comments:

Post a Comment