The Chinese Foreign Ministry called the meeting “extensive, frank and in-depth,” and said it was “constructive and conducive to enhancing mutual understanding.”

At the meeting, Beijing made clear its objection to using the word “competition” to define their relationship.

Wang Dong, professor and executive director of the Institute for Global Cooperation and Understanding at Peking University, noted that US officials pledged to ensure “responsible competition” with China at the meeting.

Wang said that President Joe Biden’s administration continued the negative legacy of former President Donald Trump’s administration of repression and negative appreciation of China.

“Wednesday’s meeting was helpful in shattering the Washington illusion. Link damage control and pragmatism are essential for the United States at this time,” Wang said.

Following the Sino-US diplomatic meetings in Anchorage and Tianjin earlier this year, “it appeared in Washington that arbitrarily pressuring China and speaking haughtily will not help it achieve its strategic goals.” said Su Xiaohui, deputy director of the department of American Studies at the China Institute of International Studies.

In statements released after Wednesday’s meeting, the two countries pointed out that the meeting followed the telephone conversation between President Xi Jinping and President Biden on September 10.

Su noted that Yang had mentioned Biden’s recent positive comments on Sino-US relations, that the United States had no intention of restraining China’s development or waging a “new cold war.”

“Since Biden said so, we should check whether Washington can honor the president’s pledge with action,” she said.