China’s ambassador to the United States has urged Washington to respect his country’s core interests

Update News:China’s ambassador to the United States has urged Washington to respect his country’s core interests and major concerns and abide by the principles laid down to promote Sino-US relations. 

“Both countries should follow the principles defined by the Sino-US Joints Communiqués and the Sino-US Joint Declaration, and in particular they should respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, so as to ensure the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations,” said Chinese Ambassador to the United States Zhou Wenzhong. 

“There is no room for compromise on the key issues of sovereignty and territorial integrity, which are specified as fundamental principles in the three joint communiqu?s and the joint declaration,” he added. 

Wenzhong went on to note that overall, Sino-US relations have developed smoothly in recent years. He pointed out that dialogue and cooperation have been the main stream of Sino-US relations, and respecting and taking care of each other’s core interests and major concerns is an important prerequisite for stable development of bilateral ties. 

Beijing is upset by the Obama administration’s plans to sell an arms package to Taiwan, which includes Patriot missiles, Black Hawk helicopters and minesweepers. 

More fuel was added to the fire when President Obama met with the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama in Washington on February 18, during the latter’s visit to the United States. Beijing and the Dalai Lama are at odds over Tibet.