US urges China to engage in Taiwan dialogue

State Department says China should start engaging in "meaningful dialogue with Taiwan's democratically elected leership."

This comes after China’s top foreign policy viser Yang Jiechi urged closer ties with U.S. under Biden ministration, while saying Washington must “effectively respect China’s position and concerns on Taiwan issue.”

U.S. should fulfill its commitments to Beijing “abide by one-China principle, and effectively respect China’s position and concerns on Taiwan issue,” Yang said.

he of ruling Communist Party’s office on foreign affairs, Yang Jiechi, said sides will have ir differences but should not allow m to derail relations.

positive tone fuels perceptions that China’s leers are hoping for a fresh start in relations and a more civil discourse with Washington, even while deep divisions remain.

"We are in serious competition with China. Strategic competition is frame through which we see that relationship," said State Department spokesperson Ned Price.

"We know that China is engaged in a range of conduct that hurts American workers. It blunts our technological edge. It threatens our alliances and influence in international organizations. And China is engaged in gross human rights violations that shock conscience."

Ties sunk under Trump ministration to a new low over differences on tre, human rights and Taiwan, self-governing democracy that China claims as its own territory and threatens to bring under its control by military force.

U.S. is pressing China over tre, allegations of intellectual property ft and policies toward Tibet, Muslim minorities in Xinjiang and Hong Kong.

China resents U.S. support for Taiwan along with U.S. military presence in South China Sea and what it sees as a bro-based U.S. campaign to restrain its growth.

Price also congratulated Kosovo and Israel on establishing diplomatic ties between two nations.

With Monday’s agreement, Kosovo is to become just third country after U.S. and Guatemala to have its embassy located in Jerusalem.

It also is first European or Muslim-majority country to do so. Most countries' embassies are in Tel Aviv.

Palestinians claim east Jerusalem, captured by Israel in 1967 Mideast war and later annexed, as capital of a future state.

Most of international community does not recognize Israeli annexation of east Jerusalem and says competing claims to city should be resolved through negotiations.

"We hope that Israel and or countries in region join toger in a common effort to build bridges and create new avenues for dialogue," said Price.

"se efforts contribute to tangible progress towards goal of vancing a negotiated peace between Israelis and Palestinians."

(Image Credit: AP)