US and China should be 'partners,' Xi tells Blinken

Blinken's talks with Xi followed a five-and-a-half hour discussion with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on a number of contentious issues earlier in the day.
According to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, Xi told Blinken the two "countries should be partners, not rivals."
"There are still a number of issues that need to be resolved, and there is still room for further efforts," CCTV cited the Chinese leader as having told Blinken.
"We hope the US can also take a positive view of China's development," Xi said, adding: "When this fundamental problem is solved... relations can truly stabilize, get better, and move forward."
Blinken says essential trade practices proceed 'fairly'
China is responsible for 1/3rd of global production but 1/10th of global demand so there's a mismatch, Blinken said during a news conference at the end of his tour. The goods are sold for lower prices and that's something the US "stands against," he said.
It's not just a US concern, but also one of European partners, Blinken said, adding: "It is not about containing China or cutting off trade and investment." It is about making sure trading practices proceed "fairly."
On China's support for Russian defense base, Blinken said he was "extremely" clear in concerns during his visit and that China has demonstrated that it can take positive action.
"It is now absolutely critical" that China stops supporting Russia as it has been, Blinken said. The support is not just in terms of arms, but also machines and other defense tools, which is working against the Ukrainian goal to beat back Russia forces. European partners are equally wary about the situation, Blinken said.
Blinken meets Wang Yi
Earlier in the day, meeting at the Diaoyutai state guesthouse in Beijing's ancient gardens, Wang said ties between the two countries were "beginning to stabilize."
Wang also added that differences between the countries persist and continue to grow, making talks more difficult.
"But at the same time, the negative factors in the relationship are still increasing and building and the relationship is facing all kinds of disruptions," Wang said.
Relations have improved the last year but still 'fragile'
DW correspondent Fabian Kretschmer explained that the relationship was "fragile" given the two countries continue to compete on trade and tech fronts.
Still, relations have improved since early last year when the US government accused China of trying to collect sensitive information by flying an alleged spy balloon over US airspace, Kretschmer said.
Blinken discussed concerns about "PRC support to the Russian defense industrial base" as well as Taiwan, the South China Sea and the situation in Middle East, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.
Differences over South China Sea, Taiwan
China's determination to assert its disputed sovereignty over the entirety of the South China Sea has sparked numerous clashes with its neighbors, including countries that are allies of the US. One such country and US ally is the Philippines.
Wang outlined, without being specific, Chinese complaints about US policies on the South China Sea and Taiwan, saying: "China's legitimate development rights have been unreasonably suppressed and our core interests are facing challenges."
Blinken responded that the Biden administration placed a premium on US-China dialogue even on issues of dispute. He said there had been some progress in relations in the past year, but added that talks would continue to be difficult.
The meeting between the top diplomats followed a summit in November when US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in San Francisco.
China's continued support of Russia in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine was the other issue Blinken raised as an area of concern.
Ukrainian war a thorny issue
State Department spokesperson Miller said the two discussed China's "support for Russia's defense industrial base."
State Department officials said before the meeting began that Washington was prepared to act against Chinese companies helping to resupply Russia's defense industry.
Along with the war in Ukraine, the discussion also included US support for Taiwan and trade between Washington and Beijing.
Ahead of the meetings, Wang asked: "Should China and the United States keep in the right direction of moving forward with stability, or return to a downward spiral?"
US seeking 'active diplomacy'
Blinken's visit to China, which began Wednesday, was a day after Biden signed a bill earmarking $8 billion (€7.5 billion) to counter China's growing aggressiveness toward Taiwan and in the South China Sea.
It also follows a decision by the US government that seeks to force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform, reports DW.
Despite the contentious issues, Blinken said he would be looking for "active diplomacy."
He added that the countries should be clear "about the areas where we have differences — at the very least to avoid misunderstandings, to avoid miscalculations."
"That really is a shared responsibility that we have not only for our own people, but for people around the world," he said.