torsdag 18. mars 2021

China's ambassador to US says he doesn't have 'high expectations' for Alaska summit with Biden officials

Beijing does not have "high expectations" for upcoming talks with the United States in Alaska, China's ambassador to the US told reporters Wednesday, in what will be the first meeting of senior officials from both countries since US President Joe Biden took office. China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi and State Councilor Wang Yi will meet with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Thursday and Friday in Anchorage, Alaska.

There is no public agenda for the event, but a spokesman for the US State Department said "a range of issues" would be discussed. "We will certainly not pull any punches in discussing our areas of disagreement," State Department spokesman Ned Price said on March 11. The summit follows a protracted deterioration in relations between Beijing and Washington under former US President Donald Trump, including the imposition of trade sanctions, mutual visa restrictions and technology bans.