China and the U.S. Hold High-level Strategic Dialogue

On March 18 and 19, 2021, Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, and State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a high-level strategic dialogue with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Anchorage, Alaska. The two sides conducted candid, in-depth, and constructive communication on their domestic and foreign policies, China-u.s. relations, and major international and regional issues of common concern. Both sides believe the dialogue is timely and helpful and deepens mutual understanding. Both sides expressed the hope to continue such type of high-level strategic communication.

The Chinese side said that on the eve of the Chinese New Year, President Xi Jinping held a successful telephone conversation with President Joe Biden and the two sides agreed to enhance communication, manage differences, and expand cooperation, which is of great significance in guiding the growth of China-u.s. relations in the time to come. China’s attendance at the high-level strategic dialogue at the invitation of the U.S. side in Anchorage is an important step to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state in their phone talks.

The Chinese side noted that the two countries can cooperate on three most pressing tasks facing the international community, namely fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, tackling climate change and promoting world economic recovery. The Chinese side stressed that cooperation should be a two-way street and mutually beneficial, and should address the concerns of both sides in a balanced way.

The United States reiterated its adherence to the one China policy on the Taiwan question.

Both sides are committed to enhancing dialogue and cooperation in the field of climate change, and they agreed to establish a joint working group on climate change. They agreed to hold talks on facilitating activities of each other’s diplomatic and consular missions and personnel, as well as on issues related to media reporters, in the spirit of reciprocity and mutual benefit.

The two sides will step up coordination and consultation on activities within such multilateral frameworks as the Group of 20 and the Asia-pacific Economic Cooperation.