WASHINGTON – The United States has formally invited China’s newly reappointed international minister, Wang Yi, to Washington, the US State Department stated on Tuesday, after Wang’s predecessor was abruptly faraway from his submit by Beijing.
China reappointed veteran diplomat Wang final week, changing former rising star Qin Gang, who has not been seen for greater than month — a mysterious absence after simply seven months within the job that has raised questions on transparency.
China’s international ministry has solely stated Qin was off work for unspecified well being causes.
The invitation to Wang was prolonged on Monday throughout a gathering on the State Department between U.S. Assistant Secretary for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink and Yang Tao, Director General of the North American and Oceania Affairs at China’s Foreign Ministry, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller advised a press briefing.
“In the meeting yesterday, we extended the invitation that had previously been made to foreign minister Qin Gang and made clear that invitation did transfer over,” Miller stated.
Miller didn’t say if the Chinese aspect had accepted the invitation however added that this was Washington’s expectation.
“We certainly expect that it is something that they would accept and is a trip that we expect to happen, but we have not yet scheduled a date,” Miller stated.
A spokesperson for China’s Washington embassy stated that within the “consultation” with Kritenbrink, the 2 sides had “candid, in-depth and constructive exchanges of views on China-U.S. relations as well as global and regional issues of mutual interest.”
“Concerning the high-level exchanges, both side have maintained necessary communication,” the spokesperson added.
A U.S. readout of the dialogue known as it “candid, substantive, and productive” and “part of ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication and responsibly manage the bilateral relationship.”
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Qin on June 18, on the primary go to by America’s prime diplomat to China in 5 years. The U.S. State Department stated then they held “candid, substantive, and constructive” talks, and Blinken invited Qin to Washington to proceed discussions.
Blinken subsequently met Wang on the sidelines of a regional assembly in Jakarta in Qin’s absence.
Wang, 69, served as international minister from 2013-2022 as ties frayed with the United States to a degree Beijing described as an all-time low. — Reuters
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
