Talks With China "Tough And Direct": US Diplomats

The broad-based talks opened with fireworks Friday as the top diplomats from both sides castigated the other for aggressive actions that were disruptive to global stability.

The first talks between President Joe Biden's administration and China were "tough and direct" but found some areas where the rival superpowers' interests coincide, US diplomats said Friday after their meetings ended. The broad-based talks opened with fireworks Friday as the top diplomats from both sides castigated the other for aggressive actions that were disruptive to global stability. After three sessions Thursday and early Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the American side was candid about its concerns over Beijing's behavior toward Hong Kong and Taiwan and its actions in cyberspace. The Chinese side was defensive as expected, he said.