Clinton, China haven't narrowed gaps on Syria, sea

[al bupp]

Source: Associated Press

Talks between U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chinese leaders Wednesday failed to narrow gaps on how to end the crisis in Syria and how to resolve Beijing's territorial disputes with its smaller neighbors in the South China Sea.

Clinton, who met President Hu Jintao, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and other top officials but not leader-in-waiting Xi Jinping, wants China to stop backing the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad and has been pushing for it to be more flexible in lowering tensions over the potentially oil-rich South China Sea.

But comments from Clinton and Yang showed the countries remain deeply divided on those issues, although both maintained they are committed to working together despite the differences.

The United States and other countries are upset that China and Russia have repeatedly used their veto powers in the U.N. Security Council to block actions that could have led to sanctions against Assad's regime. China says Syria's civil war needs to be resolved through negotiations and not outside pressure.

Read more: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20120905/DA13INEG2.html

[NCarolinawoman]

1. Sorry to hear this.

Dealing with China often seems to be a thankless task.

[alp227]

2. NYT: No Movement on Key Disputes as Clinton Meets With Chinese Leaders

The United States and China clashed openly on Wednesday over two of the most contentious issues riling their relationship, the violence in Syria and growing tensions over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

After hours of meetings with other top leaders that began Tuesday night and continued Wednesday, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton failed to narrow the gaps over international crises involving Iran and North Korea and the competition for dominance in the Asia-Pacific region. China also rebuffed Mrs. Clinton’s appeals to soften its support for the government of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria. Adding to the bumps on what is likely to be Mrs. Clinton’s last visit to China as secretary of state, one of her most important appointments, a session with Vice President Xi Jinping, the likely next leader of China, was canceled.

Most important, the Chinese leadership showed no signs of buckling after months of efforts by Mrs. Clinton and her senior aides to persuade the country to be more flexible on maritime disputes in the South China Sea.

longer article than the AP: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/06/world/asia/no-movement-on-key-disputes-as-clinton-meets-with-chinese-leaders.html