China Eyes ‘Landmark’ Year for US Ties, Urges End to Iran War

Article content(Bloomberg) — China’s top diplomat signaled that Beijing is prioritizing a stabilization of ties with Washington, even as he issued a pointed critique of US military actions in the Middle East.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentForeign Minister Wang Yi, speaking Sunday at his high-profile annual briefing on the sidelines of the National People’s Congress, declared that 2026 could be a defining year for the bilateral relationship despite the attack on Iran, one of Beijing’s strategic partners in the region.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentArticle content“When the two sides treat each other with sincerity and good faith,” Wang said, the two powers will be able to “make 2026 a landmark year of sound, steady and sustainable development of China-US relations.”Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentHis comments come weeks ahead of a planned summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing. Wang urged both sides to manage risks and “remove unnecessary disruptions.”Article contentWang called for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East, saying “this is a war that shouldn’t have happened.” He repeated Beijing’s earlier refrain that “plotting color revolutions or seeking regime change will find no popular support.” Yet, he gave no indication the conflict would affect the summit.Article contentThe remarks amounted to the clearest signal yet that Beijing intends to shield the bilateral relationship even as US strikes on Iran threaten China’s energy supplies and test its regional partnerships.Article contentIn preparation for the meeting, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng are expected to convene next weekend in Paris to lay the foundation for a new agreement expected to include business deals.Article contentArticle contentIn an apparent rejection of Trump’s idea of a G2 — the world run by the US and China — Wang said Beijing is committed to multilateralism, including relationships with the Global South. Wang added he was pleased to see “European friends stepping out of the small attic of protectionism” and moving toward Chinese markets.Article contentOn Taiwan, Wang reiterated Beijing’s claim on the self-ruled democracy and warned that any pursuit of independence was “doomed to fail.” The comments came as cross-strait tensions remain a flashpoint that could ultimately prove far more destabilizing to US-China ties than the Iran conflict.Article content“Resolving the Taiwan question and realizing the complete reunification of our motherland is a historic process that cannot be stopped,” Wang said. “Those who supported are on the right side of history and those who defy it shall perish.”Article contentXi raised the Taiwan issue in a call with Trump last month, when he urged the US to handle arms sales to Taipei with the “utmost caution.” Washington approved arms sales to Taiwan worth as much as $11.15 billion last year — one of its biggest ever — in a bid to strengthen the island’s defenses.Trending Bank of Canada governor warns of growing risks to financial stability Economy U.S. aluminum buyers hunt for alternatives as Iran war upends global supply Commodities This TSX stock fought its way back from the AI software rout and may have 'strong growth prospects' Investor U.S. tells tariff refund judge it can’t comply with order Economy These eight charts show 'rupture' with Canada under Trump's tariffs Economy Article contentWang also directed sharp remarks at Japan, invoking the 80th anniversary of the Tokyo war crimes trials to warn Tokyo against interfering in Taiwan affairs, saying any invocation of collective self-defense in a Taiwan contingency would find no legitimacy.Article contentChina last month blacklisted 20 Japanese entities in the latest escalation in the dispute over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s suggestion last year that Tokyo could deploy its military if China uses force to try and seize Taiwan. Takaichi has refused to withdraw her comments and since won a snap election that gave her a clear mandate for her foreign policy agenda.Article content—With assistance from Lucille Liu, Jing Li, Josh Xiao and Nectar Gan.Article content(Updates with more details.)Article contentShare this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Bank of Canada governor warns of growing risks to financial stability Economy U.S. aluminum buyers hunt for alternatives as Iran war upends global supply Commodities This TSX stock fought its way back from the AI software rout and may have 'strong growth prospects' Investor U.S. tells tariff refund judge it can’t comply with order Economy These eight charts show 'rupture' with Canada under Trump's tariffs Economy