What’s new: China’s new ambassador to the U.S. met with Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman on Thursday, Qin Gang’s first official meeting with American officials since his arrival in the country in late July.
During the meeting, Qin noted that China-U.S. ties are at a new crossroads, and he will work “to promote a rational, stable, manageable and constructive China-U.S. relationship,” according to a statement released by the Chinese embassy.
According to the U.S. State Department, Sherman reviewed issues raised during her meetings with Chinese officials in Tianjin last month and expressed the United States’ commitment to continuing discussions.
The background: Late last month, Qin arrived in the United States to take up the post of China’s new top envoy to Washington. Cui Tiankai, the longest serving ambassador of the People’s Republic to the U.S., left Washington and returned to China in June.
Prior to Qin’s arrival, Sherman held talks with officials including Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a two-day visit to the North China city of Tianjin. During the meeting, Wang urged the U.S. to lift sanctions and a technology blockade against China and spelled out three baselines of China-U.S. relations.
Contact reporter Cai Xuejiao (xuejiaocai@caixin.com) and editor Joshua Dummer (joshuadummer@caixin.com)
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