BEIJING - US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Tuesday that there had been “serious engagement” during a meeting between a visiting US bipartisan congressional delegation and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The visit aims to advance US economic and national security interests ahead of a potential summit between Mr Xi and US President Joe Biden in November.
Mr Schumer said he had made clear to President Xi that the United States wanted stability and fairness in bilateral trade.
“At the foundation of our relationship must be a level playing field for American businesses and workers as well as responsible competition. We need reciprocity,” he said, describing Monday’s conversation with Mr Xi and other senior Chinese officials as “honest, but productive”.
“Our delegation made clear that America is not seeking a confrontation with China, but we will remain steadfast in our commitment to promoting stability in the region, freedom, and democratic principles,” Mr Schumer said in a statement.
Mr Schumer also said he had pressed Mr Xi on the need for China to take more aggressive steps to stop the export of the deadly drug fentanyl.
The US and China are at odds over issues from Taiwan and trade, to fentanyl and human rights. Mr Biden has taken steps to restrict China’s access to sensitive US technology, while at the same time seeking to keep communication channels open.
“There was serious engagement with President Xi and others,” Mr Schumer said during a briefing at the Beijing residence of US Ambassador Nicholas Burns.
“We need to get results,” Mr Schumer said, adding that “there seems to be a difference” in China’s current posture compared with previous engagement with US officials.
The US last week announced actions against Chinese companies and individuals as it targets the trafficking of fentanyl, a major sticking point in US-China ties.
Mr Schumer and other senators on the visit said they pressed Chinese officials on the issue.
Mr Schumer said he “asked Xi to appoint a senior official on the China side” responsible for fentanyl, adding “they said they would look into that”.
Republican Mike Crapo, co-leader of the visit, said the meetings had been “remarkably successful”.
“We were candid and frank but respectful,” he told journalists. “We want the engagement to continue.”
Mr Schumer said on Monday that he urged Mr Xi to support Israel after last Saturday’s deadly attacks by Hamas, adding he was “disappointed” that Beijing showed “no sympathy” for the country over the weekend.
In response, China’s Foreign Ministry urged “relevant parties” to end hostilities and advocated “implementing the two-state solution”.
During Monday’s meeting, Mr Xi said “competition and confrontation are not in line with the trend of the times”, according to a Chinese state media readout.
Mr Schumer's visit to Asia also includes stops in South Korea and Japan. REUTERS
