General
China calls for a relationship reset, as US says Beijing is trying to ‘avert blame’
US officials have accused China of trying to avert blame for its actions, after a top Chinese diplomat said the two countries could work together on various issues if they were able to repair damaged bilateral relations.
Key points:
- Wang Yi called on the US and China to reopen talks, but only if Washington stopped “smearing” the Communist Party
- In response, the US State Dept accused China of trying to “avert blame” for human rights abuses
- A recent call between Xi Jinping and Joe Biden has been seen as a positive step
Wang Yi, a Chinese state councillor and foreign minister, said Beijing stood ready to reopen constructive dialogue after ties sank to their lowest level in decades under former US president Donald Trump.
But he urged Washington…