The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with PRC Director of the CCP Central Foreign Affairs Commission and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Vientiane, Laos, on the margins of the ASEAN-related ministerial meetings on July 27.
The two sides had open and productive discussions on key bilateral, regional, and global issues. Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of continuing to use diplomacy to responsibly manage competition, to candidly discuss areas of difference, and to make progress on areas of cooperation that matter to the American people and the world. He pressed for continued implementation of the leaders’ Woodside Summit commitments, acknowledging recent steps taken by the PRC to advance counternarcotics cooperation to disrupt the flow of synthetic drugs into the United States and to enhance military-to-military communication to prevent miscalculation and conflict. The Secretary reiterated that the United States will continue to take necessary actions to safeguard our interests and values, and those of our allies and partners, including on human rights. He underscored that it remains a top priority to resolve the cases of American citizens who are wrongfully detained or subject to exit bans in China.
The Secretary made clear that the United States, together with our allies and partners, will advance our vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. He emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The Secretary raised concerns about the PRC’s destabilizing actions in the South China Sea, including at Second Thomas Shoal, and affirmed the United States’ support for freedom of navigation and overflight and the peaceful resolution of disputes, consistent with international law. The Secretary reiterated serious concern with PRC support for Russia’s defense industrial base and made clear that if the PRC does not act to address this threat to European security, the United Stares will continue to take appropriate measures to do so. He also discussed the DPRK’s provocative actions and underscored the need to work with the region to address the deteriorating situation in Burma. The Secretary updated the Foreign Minister on recent work to achieve a ceasefire to the war in Gaza and emphasized the importance of reaching an agreement without delay.
The two sides recognized the importance of maintaining open lines of communication in the weeks and months ahead.
