Beijing has called for US business groups with interests in China to speak out and lobby the US government in its defence, urging that as bilateral relations deteriorate they cannot make money in silence. Chinese business groups, including the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai and the US-China Business CouncilChina Business Council, met Xie at a virtual forum on Tuesday, said he was unpopular.
In his address, published by the ministry of foreign affairs, Xie urged the US government to pursue a rational and pragmatic policy towards China, stop conducting war in trade, industry and technology, and stop creating ideological and geopolitical conflicts, and to lobby for US bills that would affect Chinese interests.
Xie praised the recent meeting between the US president, Joe Biden, and China's leader, Xi Jinping, in an effort to restore the relationship, and said that when bilateral relations were good, economic and trade cooperation was smoother.
He said it is good to enjoy the shade under the big tree. If relations between the two countries deteriorate, the business community can not make a fortune in silence. We hope that the Biden administration can lift the tariffs on China, stop the suppression and sanctions against Chinese enterprises and provide a level playing field for both countries. The US is among a number of countries that have recently issued sanctions against the Chinese government, officials and entities in response to human rights abuses against Uyghurs in Xinjiang and other minorities, the crackdown on Hong Kong and its growing regional aggression.
Beijing has rejected claims that it is abusing human rights. Several world governments and human rights groups have declared the systematic oppression of Uyghurs in Xinjiang to be a genocide or crimes against humanity. Beijing has been sanctioned over its intervention in Hong Kong and the crackdown in Tibet and criticised for its aggression towards Taiwan.
Xie told the Americans these issues were areas where China has no room for compromise. The meeting came as China tried to head off growing calls for boycotts of the February Winter Olympics. Biden has confirmed that the White House is considering a diplomatic boycott of the Games over China's human rights abuses.
Xie said Boycotting the Olympics for political reasons harms the interests of athletes, violates the common ideals and pursuits of the international community, and is unpopular.