BEIJING – The United States should meet China halfway and conduct an upcoming high-level meeting in good faith with a constructive attitude, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Thursday.
Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a daily news briefing when answering a query about whether China expects positive outcomes from the high-level strategic dialogue. The response came after the US put pressure on China during US officials' visit to Japan and the Republic of Korea and announced expanded sanctions against China over Hong Kong-related issues.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said that China would make its position and concerns clear, and "all issues that can be discussed are on the table"
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Noting that the results of the dialogue depend on joint efforts by the two sides, Zhao said China had agreed to participate in this dialogue proposed by the US. It showcased China's sincerity and constructive attitude towards restarting bilateral dialogue and exchanges and improving ties.
He said that China would make its position and concerns clear, and "all issues that can be discussed are on the table".
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"There is no room for compromise on issues concerning China's sovereignty and core interests, and China's determination to safeguard its interests is unwavering," Zhao said.
"Any attempt to form 'small cliques' and put pressure on China is useless and doomed to fail," said Zhao.
China expects to fully communicate with the United States during the discussions and promote a sound and steady development of bilateral ties, Zhao said. He added that China did not expect to solve all existing problems between the two countries in one dialogue.
"The United States should realize China's firm determination to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and development interests," Zhao said.
US urged to earnestly promote, protect human rights
Meanwhile, China urged the United States to reject double standards on human rights and take concrete actions to promote and protect human rights.
"The United States should carefully listen to and take a close look at the criticism and suggestions of the international community on its human rights situation, reject the wrong practice of double standards, and take concrete actions to promote and protect human rights," Zhao said.
Zhao was commenting on China's remarks concerning human rights situation in the United States at the 46th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Some in the United States have "chosen to turn a blind eye to deep-seated domestic human rights issues," Zhao said.
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He went on to point out that the phenomenon of racial discrimination and police violence is very serious in the United States, adding that ethnic minorities, Muslims, refugees and immigrants are threatened by discrimination and xenophobia, and the poisonous legacy of "white supremacy" still lingers.
Under the pretext of democracy and human rights, the United States has been practicing "interventionism", Zhao said, citing casualties and displacement due to the so-called anti-terrorism operations by the United States in 80-plus countries around the world.
The United States has also imposed unilateral sanctions on certain developing countries, leading to serious humanitarian crises, he added.