BEIJING — US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing on Sunday and sent a message of mutual cooperation despite the differences between the countries.
Yellen rose to prominence in China for trade practices that put American companies and workers at an unfair competitive disadvantage.
In the ornate Fujian Hall of the Great Hall of the People building, just west of Tiananmen Square, she told Li: “Although we have more to do, I believe we have improved our bilateral relationship over the past year.” have provided a more stable basis.”
“This doesn’t mean we should ignore our differences or avoid difficult conversations,” she said. “It did mean that we had to understand that we can only make progress if we communicate directly and openly with each other.”
Li said the US media’s interest in Yellen’s visit “shows the high expectations they have … and also the expectation and hope to grow the US-China relationship.”
The meeting comes after the US and China agreed on Saturday to hold “intensive exchanges” on more balanced economic growth, according to a US statement issued after Yellen and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng held extensive meetings for two days in the southern city of Guangzhou.
They also agreed to initiate exchanges on combating money laundering. It was not immediately clear when and where the talks would take place.
“As the world’s two largest economies, we have a duty to our own countries and to the world to manage our complex relationships responsibly, work together and demonstrate leadership in addressing pressing global challenges,” Yellen said.
On Sunday, Yellen also plans to meet with Beijing Mayor Yin Yong and with students and faculty from Beijing University.