US Doesn’t Seek Conflict With China, Says VP Kamala Harris

United States Vice President Kamala Harris said on Sunday she had told China’s President Xi Jinping that the US does not seek confrontation with China but welcomes competition.

“We welcome competition but we do not see conflict, we do not seek confrontation,” Harris told a news conference at the US ambassador’s residence in Bangkok.

Harris said she also reiterated to Xi a message from President Joe Biden that “we intend to keep open lines of communication available because It is in the best interest of the globe and each nation.”

Earlier, US President Joe Biden has also stressed that his country is seeking to avoid conflict with China after meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia.

The two presidents met in person for the first time on Monday.

Separate statements from their offices said they called for cooperation to confront international challenges.

The White House said; “President Biden underscored that the United States and China must work together to address transnational challenges – such as climate change, global macroeconomic stability including debt relief, health security, and global food security."

The official Chinese news agency, Xinhua, also cited Xi as saying that the two sides should work with all countries to bring more hope to world peace, and greater confidence in global stability.