ANI
25 May 2023, 04:18 GMT+10
Washington [US], May 24 (ANI): The US is not considering lifting current sanctions imposed on China's Minister of National Defence Li Shangfu, the US Department of State announced on Monday, The Standard reported.
US officials had said sanctions on Li Shangfu do not stop him from having meetings with his American counterparts. In addition, US officials said that the sanctions will not be hurdles for military talks between Beijing and Washington, Kenya-based daily The Standard reported.
Last week, US President Joe Biden said that he will not consider easing sanctions on Chinese officials to improve ties. He even suggested that lifting sanctions on the Chinese defence chief is "under negotiation right now." However, a US State Department spokesperson on Monday clarified the stance.
When asked about whether the US is considering lifting sanctions imposed on Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu, US Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller on Monday said, "No, we are not. We - I'll leave at that. No, we are not."In 2018, the US imposed sanctions on Li Shangfu under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) when he headed the Equipment Development Department of the Chinese military. The sanctions imposed against Li were related to China's purchase of 10 SU-35 combat aircraft in 2017 and S-400 surface-to-air missile system-related equipment in 2018, The Standard reported.
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and Li Shangfu are expected to attend Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. The Chinese military has not accepted the US proposal for a meeting between the defence ministers. In Beijing, Chinese officials raised questions over the "sincerity" of the US in its outreach for communications.
On Monday, a Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said that China always opposes unilateral sanctions and called on the US to lift sanctions, The Standard reported.
Mao Ning said, "China always firmly opposes illegal unilateral sanctions and has made clear its stern position to the U.S. side. The US side should immediately lift sanctions and take concrete actions to remove obstacles, create favourable atmosphere and conditions for dialogue and communication," according to The Standard report.
The ties between US and China have been increasingly strained in recent months over security, trade and technology issues, Taiwan and the South China Sea, The Standard reported. Chinese officials have indicated their willingness to stabilize ties with the US. However, they also demand that the US stop harming China's interests by strengthening its ties with Taiwan and imposing technology restrictions on China. The ties between US and China have been strained after the then US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August. (ANI)
Get a daily dose of Taiwan Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Taiwan Sun.
More InformationBEIJING, China: In a deal worth US$10 billion at list prices this week, state-owned carrier China Eastern Airlines announced that ...
BEIJING, China: This week, China Evergrande Group said its founder and chairman, Hui Ka Yan, is being investigated over suspected ...
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, California: In his opening statement this week in the first U.S. trial over allegations that a car autopilot ...
SEATTLE, Washington: As part of Washington's efforts to stop Big Tech from monopolizing the most lucrative parts of the internet, ...
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia: As part of Riyadh's efforts to further Saudi Arabia's electrification drive, electric vehicle (EV) maker Lucid announced ...
NEW YORK, New York - Stock prices were punctured Friday bringing to an end the 'flash in the pan' rally ...
LONDON, UK: This week, the Global Financial Centers index showed that New York remains the world's leading financial center, with ...
KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan: In a significant milestone for its defense capabilities, Taiwan has unveiled its first domestically developed submarine. Although it ...
HONIARA, Solomon Islands: Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare revealed that he opted out of a Pacific Islands leaders' summit at the ...
SACRAMENTO, California: Intending to raise some US$160 million per year to help prevent gun violence, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed ...
MANILA, The Philippines: The Philippines remains steadfast in its resolve not to yield to Chinese efforts to obstruct its fishermen ...
VICTORIA, Texas: This week, U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton in Victoria, Texas, ruled that President Joe Biden did not have ...