The first US-China meeting under the Biden government began with “cold” comments and is unlikely to result in any visible compromise, according to a former US deputy secretary of defense for East Asia.
“I would say the opening statements were certainly cold, not necessarily due to ambient temperatures in Alaska,” Heino Klinck told CNBC’s “Street Signs Asia” on Friday.
The two sides exchanged barbs before the meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, officially began, extending what should have been an opportunity for a short photo in an hour-long dialogue.
Klinck, now a senior consultant with the National Bureau of Asia Research (NBR), said he was not surprised by the turn of events.
“So far, frankly, there are no surprises as far as I can tell,” he said.
“It is unimaginable to me that the Biden government will try to restart … the relationship as the Chinese would like,” he said.
It is important that senior leaders can meet, discuss things frankly and demonstrate what each national intention is.
Heino Klinck
senior consultant to the National Bureau of Asia Research
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in his opening speech that the United States would discuss its “deep concerns about China’s actions, including in Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Taiwan”. Chinese officials have backed down, repeating that the country is opposed to foreign interference in its internal affairs.
Klinck, of NBR, said that it is common for US talks with China to be tense and that he has always received talks from his Chinese colleagues.
“We saw some of that on the camera today and you saw Secretary Blinken’s response,” he said. “I think you will have more of that in private discussions.”
Asked if the meeting could lead to any visible compromises, Klinck of NBR said the short answer is “no”.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks before Yang Jiechi, director of the Central Foreign Affairs Office’s office, and Wang Yi, China’s foreign minister, at the opening session of the US-China talks at the Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage, Alaska, on March 18, 2021.
Frederic J. Brown | AFP | Getty Images
There are areas of potential cooperation, such as climate change and public health during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but he said the United States and its partners will “most often” compete with China.
Washington will also face Beijing when it crosses the boundaries of national security, such as targeting the United States in cyber attacks or conducting “evil activities” against US allies.
Importance of face-to-face meetings
Still, Klinck said it is a “positive sign” that such a high-level meeting is taking place at the beginning of the Biden government.
“Even during the most strained relations the United States has had in its history … we would still meet and still exchange perspectives, so it is essential that we do the same with our strategic competitor, China today,” he said.
“It is important that senior leaders are able to meet, discuss things frankly and demonstrate what the intention of each country is,” he added.
Gary Locke, a former United States ambassador to China, shares this sentiment.
“It sets the tone, sets priorities, concerns for the United States,” said Locke, who is also interim president of Bellevue College.
“Yes, each side made many tough and very strong public statements, but when they really sit down and meet face to face, they understand that … each has a role, but they also need to sit down and find a way to overcome those differences and resolve fundamental issues, “he told CNBC’s” Squawk Box Asia “on Friday.