Chinese diplomat urges cautious approach to U.S. policy

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned at the Munich Security Conference against “knee-jerk” calls for decoupling from the United States. He emphasized a need for a positive and pragmatic approach from Washington, advocating that cooperation was the best outcome for both nations.

Wang met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday in what an official described as a constructive meeting, discussing potential plans for Trump’s upcoming visit to Beijing. Despite some recent optimism expressed by the White House towards China, tensions lingered over trade policies and reliance on Chinese raw materials, sparking calls for reduced dependency.

Speaking about these complex dynamics, Wang pointed out that while there were positive signs emerging from Washington, voices within the US government were undermining this progress. He categorized two possible outcomes: one where America could understand and engage with China constructively or another which might lead to decoupling and heightened confrontation.

Wang stressed that some in the United States were aggressively attacking and tarnishing China’s reputation, potentially leading to a conflict over Taiwan. He reassured his audience by stating that while China desired peaceful engagement, it was well-prepared to address any risks or challenges that arose.