China-US ties: ambassador to US calls for ‘concrete, small steps’ in relations but silent on whether Xi will attend Apec

Xie Feng addresses dignitaries at start of National Day programme, says China has ‘no intention’ of displacing other nations

He says Beijing has shortened US visa application processing and suggests officials from both countries set a timetable to double direct flights

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Chinese ambassador Xie Feng toasts his audience at Beijing’s embassy in Washington, during an event commemorating the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. In his remarks, Xie called for better US-China relations. Photo: Robert Delaney

Published: 12:00pm, 28 Sep 2023Updated: 8:09pm, 28 Sep 2023

China’s top envoy to Washington issued a broad call for better bilateral relations, asking for more “concrete, small steps” such as faster visa processing, but stopped short of signalling whether President Xi Jinping would meet his American counterpart Joe Biden at a coming Asia-Pacific leaders summit.

Addressing a crowd of dignitaries, academics, government officials and others in the US-China orbit at his embassy on Wednesday – including Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink – ambassador Xie Feng also acknowledged China’s current economic difficulties and said Beijing had “no intention” of displacing other countries.

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“While a lot has changed in China-US relations, the fact that we are interdependent has not changed,” Xie said at the start of a National Day programme that included a Julliard School recital. “Our people’s enthusiasm about greater exchanges and cooperation has not changed.

“Our focus is to be a better self,” he added. “We have no intention to challenge, out-compete or displace anyone else.”

US President Joe Biden greets ambassador Xie in the Oval Office of the White House on June 30. Photo: Xinhua

Xie made his comments as speculation rises over whether Xi will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) leaders summit in San Francisco less than two months away. A meeting is increasingly seen as the most important step in halting the steady deterioration in bilateral relations in recent years on nearly every front.

China-US ties: ambassador to US calls for ‘concrete, small steps’ in relations but silent on whether Xi will attend Apec

Xie Feng addresses dignitaries at start of National Day programme, says China has ‘no intention’ of displacing other nations He says Beijing has shortened US visa application processing and suggests officials from both countries set a timetable to double direct flights

Xie Feng addresses dignitaries at start of National Day programme, says China has ‘no intention’ of displacing other nations

He says Beijing has shortened US visa application processing and suggests officials from both countries set a timetable to double direct flights