China calls on US to stop hollowing out One China principle as ties in deep freeze

The Chinese foreign minister demands in a meeting with the American ambassador to Beijing that US must correct its handling of the Taiwan issue and halt its efforts aimed at averting the One China principle.

Speaking during a meeting on Monday with US Ambassador Nicholas Burns, China's top diplomat Qin Gang further underlined that it is imperative to stabilize Sino-US relations following a series of "erroneous words and deeds" threw ties back into a deep freeze.

Qin stressed in particular that the United States must correct its handling of the Taiwan issue and stop the hollowing out of the One China principle.

Pointing to easing of tensions between the two economic powers back in Novembers when presidents of the two nations met at a G20 summit in Indonesia and vowed more frequent discourse, Qin said, "A series of erroneous words and deeds by the United States since then have undermined the hard-won positive momentum of Sino-US relations."

"The agenda of dialogue and cooperation agreed by the two sides has been disrupted, and the relationship between the two countries has once again encountered cold ice," Qin further emphasized as quoted in a statement issued by Beijing's Foreign Ministry.

"The top priority is to stabilize Sino-US relations, avoid a downward spiral and prevent any accidents between China and the United States," China's top diplomat added per the ministry's official reading of his meeting with Burns.

The US side should correct its perception of China, return to rationality, and achieve mutual success in the better development of each country, the foreign minister also pointed out.

"We should push negotiations and talks on the back of mutual respect and equal benefit," he said, expressing optimism that Washington's envoy to Beijing will make constructive efforts in China by having more contacts and more communication and being a bridge between China and the US.

Qin also underlined that the Sino-US ties are of great significance not only to Beijing and Washington, but also to the world.

Relations between the two countries significantly deteriorated last year when the speaker of the US House of Representatives at the time, Nancy Pelosi, paid a provocative visit to the self-ruled island of Taiwan, claimed by China.

US conflict with China

When it comes to the conflict between the US and China, there is no denying that the US is using a more confrontational approach than China.

In response, Beijing severed formal communications channels with the United States including one between their militaries.

The tension between the two countries eased a bit in November when the US and Chinese president met at the G20 summit in Indonesia and pledged more dialogue.

Tensions, however, flared again in February when a Chinese high-altitude balloon appeared in American airspace and in response US Secretary of State Antony Blinken cancelled a visit to Beijing.

Last month, China staged massive military drills around Taiwan after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen met and held talks with the current Speaker of the US House Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles.

Last week, Blinken appeared to offer hope of a visit, telling the Washington Post that it was important to re-establish regular lines of communication at all levels.

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