U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the top Chinese diplomat, Wang Yi, sparred Saturday over Taiwan and the South China Sea during their talks on the sidelines of regional meetings in Laos while agreeing to maintain communication in the months ahead.
Blinken emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and raised concerns about Beijing's "destabilizing actions" in the South China Sea, including at the Philippine-controlled Second Thomas Shoal, which is claimed by China, the State Department said.
Wang said Taiwan, a self-ruled democratic island that Beijing views as its own, will "never be a country" and that China will spare no effort to achieve "complete reunification," according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
On the disputed shoal in the South China Sea, Wang urged the United States "not to stir up trouble" and undermine maritime stability, the ministry said.
Blinken said the United States will continue to take necessary actions to safeguard the interests and values of its allies and partners and affirmed Washington's support for freedom of navigation and overflight and the peaceful resolution of disputes, consistent with international law, the department said.
Tensions had been escalating in the South China Sea due to collisions between Chinese and Philippine vessels, but on Friday, Wang and Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo agreed to work towards reducing conflicts in the area.
Blinken also reiterated the United States' 'serious concern' over China's support for Russia's industrial base and warned that Washington would continue to take appropriate actions if China does not address the issue, the department said.
Washington claims Beijing has been supporting Moscow's war efforts in Ukraine by providing dual-use items such as semiconductors, but China has denied the allegation.
The two top diplomats last met in April during Blinken's visit to China. They both attended gatherings related to the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations in the Laotian capital.
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