Kerry, Wang Agree Diplomacy Must Shape U.S.-Chinese Relations

That there is a way out of geopolitics and permanent war, if the United States is freed from the grip of the British empire—that is, Obama is removed—was demonstrated also in the press conference held by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Secretary of State John Kerry, following their meetings in Washington Tuesday. The nuances of their nearly hour-long conference await the transcript and review, but the spirit is exemplified by the following.

The press conference was opened, 45 minutes later than scheduled, by a strong statement by Secretary Kerry that both nations understand that the U.S. and China share one of the most consequential relationships in the world, and that they must act accordingly. Both nations are deeply committed to dialogue, and recognize that their two powerful nations, with the two largest economies in the world, have the ability to make good things happen, despite clear differences in specific areas. Areas of cooperation on global affairs were identified, and only within that context were the contentious areas of North Korea and the South China Sea diplomatically elaborated.

Foreign Minister Wang agreed; we have more points of agreement than disagreement. As diplomats, our responsibility is to identify problems and resolve them; to clear the way ahead and remove obstacles.

Both emphasized the necessity of talks, and knowing each other’s thinking, if “misjudgements” which could become dangerous are to be avoided. Kerry specified military-to-military talks as crucial, and referenced the Cold War time, when the U.S. and Soviet Union had tens of thousands of nuclear warheads pointed at each other, until Reagan and Gorbachov decided at Rejkavik that this was “insane.” So, we must understand each other.

In his final answer, Wang said that Middle East peace, African development, fighting diseases, non-proliferation, all require U.S.-China cooperation. Our two countries should make “the pie of our common interests” bigger, he suggested. We should look through a telescope to visualize the future, rather than a microscope to magnify our differences!