According to the former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia, the first meeting between the United States and China under the Biden government began with an ‘icy’ remark.
“I would say the opening statements were definitely icy, not necessarily because of the ambient temperature in Alaska,” Heino Klinck told CNBC’s Street Signs Asia on Friday.
Before the meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, the two sides officially began exchanging barbs, which was the intent of a short photo opportunity, expanding into an hour-long dialogue.
Klinck, now a senior adviser at the National Bureau of Asia Research (NBR), said he was not surprised by the turn of events.
“So far there have been no surprises as far as I can see,” he said.
“It is inconceivable to me that the Biden government will decide to restore relations as the Chinese want,” he said.
It is important that the senior leaders can meet each other, discuss things openly and demonstrate what each national intention is.
Heino Klinck
senior adviser at the National Bureau of Asia Research
Foreign Minister Antony Blinken said in his opening speech that the US would discuss its ‘deep concern over China’s actions, including in Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Taiwan’. Chinese officials have backed down, reiterating that the country is opposed to foreign interference in what it sees as its internal affairs.
Nlin’s Klinck said that it is generally tense in the US with China and he has often been read out by his Chinese counterparts.
“We saw a bit of that on camera today and you saw Secretary Blinken react,” he said. “I think you’re going to have more of that in the private discussions.”
Asked if the meeting could lead to visible compromises, Klinck of NBR said the short answer was “no”.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks at the opening of talks between the United States and China at the Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage, Alaska, on March 18, during the opening of talks between the United States and China in Wang Yi, China ‘s Minister of Foreign Affairs. , 2021.
Frederic J. Brown | AFP | Getty Images
There are aspects of possible cooperation such as climate change and public health during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but he said the US and its partners would “more often than not” compete with China.
Washington will also confront Beijing if it crosses red lines on national security, such as targeting the US in cyber attacks or doing ‘malicious activities’ against US allies.
Importance of face-to-face meetings
Yet Klinck said it was a ‘positive sign’ that such a high-level meeting was taking place early in the Biden government.
“Even during the most strained relations the United States has had in its history … we would still meet and we would still exchange perspectives, so it is important that we do the same with our strategic rival China today,” he said. .
“It is important that the senior leaders can meet, discuss things openly and demonstrate what each national intention is,” he added.
Gary Locke, a former US ambassador to China, reflected the sentiment.
“It sets the tone, it sets the priorities, the concerns that the United States has,” said Locke, who is also interim president of Bellevue College.
“Yes, each side has made very public, loud statements and very strong statements, but when they actually sit down and meet face to face, they understand that … they each have a role to play, but they also have to go sit down and figure out a way forward to get past these differences, to resolve the fundamental issues, “he told CNBC’s” Squawk Box Asia “on Friday.