U. S. China relations. Expresses concern about the nations role in russias invasion of ukraine parade this for this isabout 25 minutes. [background noises] good evening everyone. Ten months ago i traveled to the peoples republic of china at a time of profound tension between our countries. With the aim of stabilizing relationships from strengthening our highlevel channels of communication. Over a series of key edit constructed conversations i had then with the president xi, and other seniorad officials, make clear our apologies ofea intentions and identified issues of shared interest where we might work together. Those discussions, which are followed by addition or meeting between our government help lay the foundation for productive summit between President Biden and president xi and Services Within a blessed year. Our leaders agreed on concrete steps to cooperate on issues that matter to our people. And matter to the world. And reduce the risk of misunderstanding and miscalculation. In the months since then we focus intensively on advancing those commitments. Return to china this week to take stock of where we have made progress of where more needs to be done. Thats been the focus of our meetings of the last two days with president xi and her foreign minister with the administer of Public Security since they would side to sum it with vassar cooperation on fentanyl that one killer of americans in 1845. Prc is issue a notice to the interest enforcement action against companies that produce precursors those of the chemical ingredients that make up synthetic drugs for u. S. And china have set up joint Counter Narcotics Working Group to collaborate on policymaking and on Law Enforcement and share technical expertise. Thanks in large part to the working groups efforts china is providing Information InternationalLaw Enforcement that can be used to track and intercept illicit drugs and their precursors. Our two governments recent egregious share breast best practices closing loopholes the drug traffickers and other criminal enterprises used to launder money. So this is important progress. But mornings to be done. In my discussions i underscored the importance of prc taking additional action and particular to prosecuting those who were selling chemicals and equipment used to make fentanyl. Commitments to limit precursors that are controlled but narcotic drugs since the woodside meeting between the president s weve also resumed direct military to military communications at multiple levels. Something made atop in beijing last year. U. S. Prc defense officials meant for two days of the pentagon in january. Aim to have safer interactions. Last week secretary of defense austin has first video call with the minister of defense. Direct, open, clear lines of communication like these are critical to avoiding miscalculations. I am pleased to announce earlier today we agreed till the first talks on artificial intelligence. We will surely express the views on the risks and safety concerns or advanced ai and how best to manage them. We also spoke about ways we can continue to grow people to people ties between our countries. S. Particularly educational exchanges. Governments have a vested interest in creating open welcoming conditions for these programs. Which of long and rich both of ourr countries. As you know i had a chance to meet yesterday few dozen american Chinese Students who are learning sidebyside by the program as well as another joint u. S. Prc programs in china. I heard how the experiences deepen their knowledge inside and outside the classroom forge ties that will last will be on the shared educational experience. While there are more than 290,000 Chinese Students in the states, there are fewer than 900 american sitting here inex china. That is a significant drop from a decade ago we had about 15000. President xi said he wants a significant increase in number of american studying here in the coming o years and that is something we support. We have an interest in this. Because of our future leaders whether its in government, business, civil society, tech, and other fields that they are going to be able to collaborate there going to solve the problems that they are going to beo able to work through our differences they will need to know and understand each other. The language, culture, history. I told the counterparts they want to attract more americans here to china particular students the best way to do thau is to create the conditions that allow learning to flourish anywhere. Free and open discussion of ideas access to a wide range of information, ease of travel, confidence in the safety, security and privacy of the participants. Th now even as we seek to deepen cooperation where our interests align the challenges posed by the prc. America will always defend our core interests and values. In my discussions today i reiterated serious concern about prc providing components that are powering russias brutal war against ukraine. China is the top supplier of Machine Tools microelectronics, ramp up the Defense Industrial base to base it is turning out rockets, drones, tanks and other weapons that president putin is using to invade a sovereign country preacher demolishes power grid of the civilian infrastructure, to kill innocent children, women, men. Russia would struggle to sustain its assault on ukraine without china support. And my meetings with nato allies earlier this month she seven partners last week i heard that same message using russias Defense Industrial base not only threatens your grading security it threatens. While supporting the greatestth threat to European Security since the end of the cold war. The court u. S. Interests i made clear china does not address this problem, we will. I also expressed our concern hen about prc unfair trade practices and potential consequences of industrial overcapacity for global and u. S. Markets. Es especially in a number Key Industries that will drive the 21st century economy. Like solar panels, electric vehicles and the batteries that power them. China alone is producing more than one 100 of global demand. Flooding markets, undermining competition, putting at risk livelihoods and businesses around the world. Now, this is the movie we have seen before but we know how it ends. With american businesses shuttered and american jobs lost. President biden on this happen as wash windows necessary to ensure American Workers can compete on a level playingy me field. Americas actions are not aimed at holding back chinas development. Nor are we decoupling our economies for secretary yellen during her recent visit the big disasters for the Global Economy including for the United States. We went chinas economy to grow. So did the american businesses and investors here. Some of whom i had a opportunity to speak with in shanghai. The weight china it grows it matters as i told my counterparts, that means fostering a healthy economic relationship were American Workers and firms are treated equally and fairly. In todays meeting i discussed prc dangerous actions of the South China Sea including against routine philippine Maintenance Operations and maritime operations. Freedom of navigation and commerce of these waterways is not only critical to the philippines but to the u. S. And to every other nation in the end of pacific and indeed around the world. That is why so many nations have expressed concern about prc maritime maneuvers. I made clearars, while the u. S. L continue to work to deescalate tensions our defense commits to the philippine remain ironclad. I reaffirm the u. S. One china policy and stress the critical importance of peace and stability across the taiwan strait. Raise the cases of american citizens were wrongfully detained those who are subject to exit mans present biden i rest until theyre back with their families. Where they c belong. D elsa raised concerns about erosion of hong kongs metonymy democratic institution. Possible transnational repression, ongoing human rights of abuses and a number of s individual human rights cases. We spoke about press freedom and access. I appreciate the prc granted shortterm visas to a number of the foreign journalists who are heres then cover thisfo visit. In my meetings i encourage my counterparts to fulfill the commitment they made to 2021 to provide equal access in the United States will continue to insist onia reciprocity on this issue, just as we don for our businesses. And many other areas. We also discussed a range of regional and globalan crises try to complete a constructive role for anchorage china to use its influence to discourage iran and its proxies from expanding the conflict in the middle east. And to end this dangerous behavior and engage in dialogue. Going forward, we will continue our highlevel discussions on these and other issues. All of the policies unites is as pursued over the last three years at home, and around the world are driven by a singular objective. Cream the opportunities they seek. Building a future where they and their children and their k. Childrens children are secur, free, prosperous and healthy. That is what has motivated the historic investments and reinvigorate the c alliances and our partnerships around the world. Contingent goddesses of the relationship is so consequential and for the entire world. With that im happy to take questions. First question goes to ian marlow with bloomberg. The u. S. Was taking endless measures to suppress chinas economy warrant granting negative factors could derail the efforts by president s bided and she just a place u. S. China ties. Choosing to buy demonstration pledge to increase tariffs the threat of new sanctions and actions into shipbuilding could push the u. S. And china back into a period of dangerous volatility . Separately did you make any headway in terms of actually getting china to agree to reduce economic support for russias Defense Industry . If not is the u. S. Ready to move forward with sanctions . Separately giving north korea is also sending massive shipments of munitions to russia, did you bring that up with your chinese counterpart . And did you get any chinese cooperation their question it finally just on tiktok did that come up in conversations today . And how do you expect china to respond . Not sure i got all of it but illll try. Thank you rate the last question tiktok did not come up i can answer that one very quickly. On economic relationship was put this in perspective. We remain the isaacs remains the largest market for chinese products of any country around the world. Our own trade relationship remains very significant. China is the thirdlargest trading partner after our neighbors to canada and mexico as i heard from american businesses and investors in shanghai there remains a strong interest in working in this market provided with a level playing field. And a fair shot when we do, we do very well. But when we are looking at the question of tariffs but we are focused on is practices engaged in by china that are unfair and undermined our businesses and our workers for this question of overcapacity is the one that is front and center. China is responsible for one third of global production. One tenth of global demand. There is a clear mismatch. When you have products that are produced here and produced in a way thats heavily subsidized, heavily supported in other ways that allows those products to be sold at low prices sometimes below market prices pushing businesses from those countries out of business and having potentially devastating effects on communities, on workers. That is something we have to, will and are standing against. The other important thing is its not just us for this is a concern i have heard around the world and notably from European Partners that came up in conversations just a week ago we had a meeting of the g7. This is not about containing china is not cutting off trade or investment again you heard secretary yellen say this is important to us and other countries on earth. Want to ensure a perceived fairly and in a way that does notpr have these counter effects on our industries. On our workers. And on our companies and again that something shared across the world. When it comes to chinas support for russias Defense Industrial base, all i can tell you is i was extremely clear about our concerns in some detail. But we will have to see what actions follow from that. Now, i think china has demonstrated in the past when it comes to russia andyo ukraine cn take a positive reaction. You will recall well over a year ago we had concerns russia was considering the possible use of a nuclear weapon. I believe chinas voice was important at least at that time moving russia away from that possible course of action. But now its absolutely critical the support provided not in terms of weapons but components for the Defense Industrial base things like Machine Tools microelectronics is overwhelmingly the number supplier to russians having a material effect in ukraine and against ukraine. Its also having an effect in creating growing threat that russia poses to countries in europe and something thats captured theirea attention. And as i said. The next question. Thank you. We have between china and the u. S. At various levels. Those since the summit last november you consider interactions with chinas during your visit . With the election but the american politics there is a need for various parties to demonstrate they are strong and for china to secure votes leading to action regarding china. So in this context that effectiy implements achievements fostering more good will to stabilize u. S. Relations. Thank you. Thank you. And my job i dont do politics very focus on policies and that is what ive been doing here. Ol President Bidens instruction, trying to Carry Forward the agenda and the agreements ever reach between President Biden president xi in california at the end of last year. But as were my focus is and that is where it will remain in the months ahead. And as i said a few moments ago seen important progress on that agenda and the time since a meeting between the two president s including counter narcotics and military to military ties, and communications. Encoding the dialogue we Just Announced on our official intelligence. As well as on people to people exchanges between our countries. Also vitally important coming out of the california meetings as President Biden made clear we continue to communicate clearly about our differences. At the very least to minimize miscalculation, misunderstandings and thats what what i did on this visit and will continue to do. That simply what is required. Ed continue to advance our interests and our values which has nothing to do with election cycles and everything to do with what is important to the american people. Thank you. Mr. Secretary, you mentioned you think try to complete a more constructive role in global crises in the middle east. You had a station earlier this month around the time the iran israel tensions are ramping up. You have an assessment of the role china has played . Whether it is sufficient in the action the Chinese Government is taken so far for there are some reports the palestinian groups have a meeting here in beijing while you were here. Is that an area where you would welcome some chinese involvement . While we are on the middle east we cannot ignore some of the image or sentiment coming out from back in the u. S. From campuses. It is quite striking to see studentsou, some of the violence in the protest coming out and expressing their outrage at what is happening in gaza. Are you taking on board those protests . What do you say to young when they need to speak out against their government . Since first, on the middle east. I think ive talked to the foreign minister at least halffa dozen times on this since october 7. Including of course today but also previous meetings we had phone conversations et cetera. And yes, this is an area where with the influence it has to try for example to prevent the conflict from escalating andha spreading. We had a good conversation when tensions were particularly acute following the preceding and immediately following irans unprecedented attack on israel. Ten days or so ago. I think the relations i get that china has can be positive and trying tore calm tensions, prevt escalation, avoid the spread of the conflict. We agreed we would remain in regular touch on this. That is certainly my intention. I am not aware of the meeting you referred to. So nothing to say about. In terms of the protest back home, again it is not my practice to comment on domestic matters. But look, people have strong passionate feelings about what is happening in gaza and in the middle east. That i very much understand. And when we see the horrific human suffering and the death of children, women and men caught in this crossfire hamas is making, it is gut wrenching. We want to do everything we can to bring it too an end. And in our own country it is a hallmark of our democracy. Our citizens and make known their views, their concerns, their anger. And i think of that reflects the strength of the country, the strength of the democracy. As i have said before this could be over tomorrow. Couldve been over it yesterday, it couldve been over months ago ifn moss had put down its weapons. Stop hiding behind civilians, and surrendered. But of course it is chosen not to do that. It is also notable there is silence about hamas as if it was not even part of the story. But, theyve also said repeatedly the way israel goes about ensuring october 7 never happens again matters profoundly. We are working every day to try to minimize the damage thats done to innocent people and make sure they have the assistance and the support that they need. For the final question with dpa. Thank you. My question was basically just aspic looks good, thank you but. Im just going to ask another one. You said you also require countries in europe to kind of join the pla