According to Chinese state media, China’s newly appointed US ambassador in Washington emphasized the critical importance of Taiwan in the Sino-US relationship during his first meeting with a top US official since taking the job.
Qin Gang, 55, who has earned a reputation for fervent public defenses of his country’s positions, struck an upbeat tone when he arrived in Washington in late July to take up his post, saying bilateral relations held great promise.
According to the official Xinhua news agency on Friday, Qin said they had an “in-depth, very frank” exchange of views when he met with US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman.
“The two sides agreed that Sino-U.S. bilateral relations are very important, and it is necessary to resolve issues through dialogue and communication, manage differences and contradictions, and improve bilateral relations,” Xinhua said.
The only issue to be directly mentioned in the report was Chinese-claimed Taiwan, the democratically ruled island that China considers its sovereign territory.
“The Taiwan issue, according to Qin Gang, is the most important and sensitive issue in Sino-US relations. He stated China’s position to Sherman unequivocally “Xinhua added, without further elaboration.
China has been enraged by increased US support for Taiwan, including arms sales and COVID-19 vaccine donations, believing Washington is collaborating with Taiwanese forces seeking the island’s formal independence, which Beijing regards as a red line.