WASHINGTON (ChatnewsTV) — Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and European External Action Service Secretary General Stefano Sannino convened high-level meetings this week to address growing global challenges posed by China and to strengthen ties in the Indo-Pacific region. The talks, held on September 9-10, 2024, in Washington, were the seventh U.S.-EU Dialogue on China and the sixth U.S.-EU Indo-Pacific Consultations.
Campbell and Sannino highlighted the importance of maintaining open channels of communication with China, even as both the U.S. and EU engage in “robust competition.” “It’s essential to coordinate closely as we advance shared democratic values and interests,” said Campbell. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to diplomacy in areas of mutual concern and conflict.
A central focus of the discussions was China’s role in supplying Russia with dual-use goods and its involvement in sanctions evasion, which has helped sustain Russia’s war against Ukraine. “China’s ongoing support for Russia’s military-industrial base threatens transatlantic and global security,” Sannino warned. The officials urged China, as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, to uphold international law and respect Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Economic relations with China were another key topic, with the U.S. and EU both committing to “balanced and fair” trade practices while addressing concerns over China’s non-market policies. Both sides expressed a desire to “de-risk” their economies by reducing dependencies on China in strategic sectors.
Human rights violations in China, including the situations in Tibet and Xinjiang, were also addressed. Campbell and Sannino called on China to cooperate with the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and to end arbitrary detentions. “We must stand firm on transnational repression and continue to share information to combat foreign interference,” Sannino said.
On Taiwan, both the U.S. and EU underscored the need for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, opposing any unilateral efforts to change the status quo. “Dialogue is the only path to a peaceful resolution,” Campbell emphasized, calling for restraint from China.
In the Indo-Pacific, the officials reaffirmed their support for a “free, open, and rules-based” region. The talks highlighted security concerns in the South China Sea, Myanmar, and North Korea. Campbell and Sannino condemned North Korea’s arms transfers to Russia and reiterated the need for stronger maritime security efforts, particularly in cooperation with regional allies like Japan and the Philippines.
The U.S. and EU also discussed efforts to build resilient information ecosystems to counter foreign manipulation and interference, as well as enhancing cybersecurity through joint initiatives with Indo-Pacific partners.
The meetings concluded with a commitment to further cooperation on these global issues, with the next round of talks scheduled for Washington in 2025.
