China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged the United States to lift sanctions on Chinese companies and individuals and emphasized that efforts to decouple from China would ultimately hurt the US.

Citing a statement from China's foreign ministry, Reuters reported that Wang told these remarks to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday on the sidelines of a Munich security conference. Wang told Blinken that the US should lift the sanctions and not harm the legitimate development rights of China.

US Sanctions on Chinese Companies

The US has imposed sanctions on several Chinese companies over allegations of collaboration with China's military, despite denials from the firms. Additionally, sanctions have been imposed on individuals and entities for alleged human rights abuses in the Xinjiang region. 

The Biden administration has also banned the sale of certain technologies to Chinese firms, citing national security, which drew accusations from China that the US was weaponizing economic and trade issues. Wang cautioned Blinken that US attempts to de-risk or decouple from China would only backfire on the US.

The ministry characterized the exchange between Wang and Blinken as frank, substantive, and constructive. Regional topics such as the Ukraine crisis and the Korean Peninsula were also addressed, with both sides agreeing to sustain dialogue.

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China vs. Taiwan Issue

Wang reiterated China's stance on the Taiwan issue, emphasizing the one-China principle and asserting that Taiwan is part of China's territory.

While the US has stated it does not support Taiwan's independence, it maintains unofficial relations with the island and remains its most significant supporter and arms supplier. 

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