(CNN) In his first phone call with new United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, China's top diplomat has again pinned the blame on Washington for plunging bilateral relations to their lowest point in decades, and rejected international criticism of Beijing's policies in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. Yang emphasized that both sides should respect the other's core interests, as well as political systems and developmental paths of their own choosing, the statement said. China will firmly continue down the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and no one can stop the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," Yang said. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the State Department in Washington, DC on January 27. Relations between Washington and Beijing under former US President Donald Trump were oftentimes fractious, with clashes on issues relating to trade, technology, regional security and human rights.

Source: CNN February 06, 2021 09:33 UTC