China FM calls for 'stable' U.S. ties on visit to weigh Xi summit
The HinduChina's top diplomat voiced hope Thursday for more stable relations with the United States after months of turbulence as he paid a rare trip to Washington to prepare a potential visit by President Xi Jinping. China seeks to "expand common ground and pursue cooperation that will benefit both sides so that we can stabilize US-China relations and return them to the track of healthy, stable and sustainable development," Wang said. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Blinken's meeting with Wang was part of efforts to "maintain open lines of communication and responsibly manage US-China relations," but added: "The United States will continue to stand up for our interests and values and those of our allies and partners." Robert Daly, director of the Wilson Center's Kissinger Institute on China and the United States, said Wang was likely seeking assurances that the Biden administration will not "embarrass" Xi if he comes to San Francisco, either through harsh new policies or public comments. Daly said the two powers had very different views on what "stable" ties meant, with the United States having no intention of changing course from viewing China as a threat and applying pressure.