On March 31, 2023, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi met with President of the National Committee on United States-China Relations Stephen A. Orlins at request in Beijing.

Nothing that China-US relations currently face many difficulties and challenges, Wang Yi expressed the hope that the National Committee on United States-China Relations and more reasonable and friendly people in the US will play a constructive role in bringing China-US relations back on the track of steady development.

Wang Yi stressed that China maintains a high degree of continuity and stability in its domestic and foreign policies, as well as a consistent policy towards the US. But the US has made major changes in its policy towards China, deliberately making China the most serious geopolitical challenge and even threat. To improve China-US relations, the US should truly implement the common understandings reached by the two heads of state in Bali, return to a rational and pragmatic policy towards China, and stop such erroneous and short-sighted acts as encircling and containing China, and “decoupling and severing industrial and supply chains”.

Wang Yi reiterated China’s solemn position on the Taiwan question, stressing that to properly handle the Taiwan question, the most important principle is one China, the most fundamental guidance is the three China-US joint communiqués, and the gravest threat is the separatist activities of “Taiwan independence”. The US must honor its commitment and take concrete actions to uphold the political foundation of China-US relations.

Orlins extended congratulations to China on facilitating the recent reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran. This groundbreaking diplomatic achievement demonstrates China’s responsibility and important role as a responsible stakeholder. He highly appreciates China’s strong signal of deepening reform and opening up. Imposing tariffs and “decoupling and severing industrial and supply chains” will not benefit the US or China, nor the world at large. The National Committee on United States-China Relations stays firmly committed to promoting US-China interactions and personnel exchanges, and will continue to play a positive role in enhancing mutual understanding between the US and China.