Beijing, Washington maintain high-level contact amid trade truce

Beijing and Washington continued high-level diplomatic engagement with a phone call between senior officials on May 22, signaling ongoing communication following their recent trade truce.

US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and China’s Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu discussed a broad range of mutual concerns, according to the US State Department. Both sides emphasised the importance of the bilateral relationship and the need to maintain open channels of communication, spokesperson Tammy Bruce said, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The call comes amid a series of diplomatic interactions aimed at stabilising ties, despite persistent tensions over US restrictions on China’s access to advanced semiconductors.

Earlier this week, Ma met with newly appointed US Ambassador to China David Perdue, expressing Beijing’s hope for strengthened cooperation. People’s Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng also held talks with former US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met with JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon in Beijing, according to Xinhua.

In another meeting, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Asia Society CEO Kyung-wha Kang that the US and China should focus on fostering positive engagement in the Asia-Pacific region.

Tensions remain high over semiconductor policy. On May 21, China’s Commerce Ministry warned of legal action against those enforcing US chip restrictions on Huawei Technologies Co.

By Sabina Mammadli