China lauds Alaska talks with Washington as "useful", urges further dialogue

China lauds Alaska talks with Washington as "useful", urges further dialogue
# 22 March 2021 18:04 (UTC +04:00)

China has said talks with the United States were "useful" and welcomed further negotiations with Washington after talks in Alaska last week, APA reports citing Bloomberg.

“It was a timely and useful dialogue that enhanced mutual understanding. Both hope to continue this kind of high level strategic communication,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters in Beijing.

But the days-long negotiations saw several spikes in tensions, with US secretary of state Antony Blinken accusing China of numerous human rights abuses, the report said.

Chinese official Yang Jiechi responded, stating the US had a flawed democracy and was not "qualified to speak to China from a position of strength".

​A further Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday Beijing was "prepared to conduct the dialogue with sincerity in line with prior arrangements" from both sides.

"But the US side made unreasonable attacks and accusations of China's domestic and foreign policies, and provoked quarrels," the spokesperson added.

Washington "should not underestimate China's determination" to defend its national interests, namely in territorial disputes over the South China Sea and others, Hua added.

But both sides agreed on building a working group on climate change and to cooperate on visas, trade, cybersecurity and many other subjects.

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