China-U.S. relations improve at United Nations General Assembly but uncertainty remains over November’s American election.
All eyes will be on the world’s two largest economies, who have traditionally been on opposing sides on some key issues, in New York.
Chinese and U.S. diplomats have met increasingly across the world and there are signs of a more co-operative relationship.
All eyes will be on the world’s two largest economies, who have traditionally been on opposing sides on some key issues, in New York.
Chinese and U.S. diplomats have met increasingly across the world and there are signs of a more co-operative relationship.
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NewsTranscript
00:00After years of rising tensions, last November's summit between President Xi Jinping and President
00:05Joe Biden near San Francisco aimed at stabilizing relations between the two biggest economies.
00:12The leaders agreed on a list of measures aimed at reducing tensions and increasing diplomatic
00:17engagement. And both sides have largely followed through. Chinese and U.S. diplomats have met
00:23increasingly across the world. The two militaries have restored high-level contacts, too, in
00:29a bid to avoid misunderstandings. However, in spite of the improved diplomatic environment,
00:36tensions remain. The U.S. has continued to increase restrictions on Chinese access to
00:41high-end technology, especially semiconductors. They've slapped tariffs on the import of Chinese
00:48electric vehicles, increased arms sales to China's Taiwan region. And while claiming
00:53that the U.S. doesn't take sides in maritime disputes in the South China Sea, Washington
00:59supported its ally, the Philippines, in its resupply of troops in the area. Beijing and
01:04Washington have also found themselves on opposite sides in the United Nations Security Council
01:10when it comes to the conflict in Ukraine and the war in Gaza. However, the U.S. has been
01:15pleased by a decrease in the flow of chemicals used to make the deadly drug fentanyl to Latin
01:20American nations, and have reengaged with China on climate change challenges. And both
01:25have worked to lower tensions over Pacific Island issues. The recently concluded visit
01:31of U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to Beijing, with 14 hours of talks with Chinese
01:36Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other officials, culminated in a meeting with President Xi,
01:41a further sign of a more cooperative relationship.
01:45These were constructive, candid, substantive conversations. We believe that keeping lines
01:50of communication open is critical.
01:53And while there's been an obvious, noticeable improvement in U.S.-China relations throughout
01:572024, not so much guaranteed for 2025, largely because of the uncertainty surrounding November's
02:05presidential election here in the U.S. There has been improvement, but by no means guaranteed.
02:13Nathan King, CGTN, Washington.