Chronologies
US - China
Chronology from May 2017 to Aug 2017
: State Councilor Yang Jiechi holds a telephone call with Secretary of State Tillerson, to discuss Afghanistan.
: US Treasury sanctions Chinese and Russian entities and individuals for assisting North Korea with its development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.
: Chinse MFA spokesperson warns the US against any military contacts with Taiwan Defense Minister Feng Shih-kuan during his transits in New York and Los Angeles on his way to and from Taiwan’s Central American allies.
: United States formally requests a WTO panel be set up to investigate Chinese tariff-rate quotas (TRQ) for agriculture products.
: Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price visits Beijing. He tours the National Cancer Center and meets China’s Minister of the National Health and Family Planning Commission, Li Bin, and Director of China’s Center for Disease Control George Gao.
: US Trade Representative announces the initiation of a Section 301 investigation to determine whether Chinese practices relating to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation are unreasonable or discriminatory, and if they burden or restrict US commerce.
: Secretary of State Tillerson criticizes China’s religious freedom violations in his remarks on the release of 2016 International Religious Freedom Annual Report in Washington.
: In response to the Memorandum signed by President Trump on Aug. 14, China’s MOFCOM spokesman says China will resort to all proper measures if the US damages trade ties.
: In compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 2371, China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) issues an order to ban the import of several commodities from North Korea, including coal, iron ore, lead, lead concentrates and ore, and seafood, effective Aug. 15.
: President Trump signs a memorandum ordering US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to determine whether an investigation is needed into China’s alleged unfair trade practices, including forced intellectual property transfer and patent theft.
: Gen. Joe Dunford, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, visits China. He meets Xi Jinping and co-signs with his host, Gen. Fang Fenghui, the joint strategic dialogue mechanism to enhance military-to-military communication.
: China’s Director of MOFCOM Trade Remedy and Investigation Bureau, Wang Hejun, urges the US not to harm the bilateral economic and trade relationship.
: In a phone call, Presidents Xi and Trump discuss North Korea.
: In remarks to reporters about Chinese pressure on North Korea, President Trump says: “I think China can do a lot more, and I think China will do a lot more.”
: US destroyer USS John S. McCain sails within 12 nm of Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands.
: US Department of Commerce announces its affirmative determination in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of imports of certain aluminum foil from China.
: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets Secretary of State Tillerson on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Manila.
: Chinese guided-missile frigate Liuzhou joins the US Navy in a search for a missing sailor in the South China Sea.
: In a Department press briefing in Washington, Secretary of State Tillerson says the United States does not blame China for the Korean Peninsula nuclear conundrum.
: In an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal, Commerce Secretary Ross slams China, as well as the European Union, for “formidable nontariff trade barriers” and vows to “use every available tool” to fight those limits.
: In a meeting with Michigan Governor Rick Snyder in Beijing, Premier Li Keqiang encourages Michigan and other US states to enhance exchanges, two-way trade, and investment with China’s provinces to create more opportunities and jobs for both sides.
: In a press conference marking the end of China’s month-long presidency of the UNSC, Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Liu Jieyi says the US and North Korea have the primary responsibility to resolve the Korean Peninsula crisis by “moving in the right direction, [and] not China.”
: US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley tweets: “Done talking about NKorea. China is aware they must act. Japan & SKorea must inc pressure. Not only a US problem. It will req an intl solution.”
: President Trump tweets: “I am very disappointed in China. Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk. We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem!”
: Secretary of State Tillerson issues a statement after North Korea’s ICBM test that says China and Russia “bear unique and special responsibility” for North Korea’s ballistic missile program.
: Senior US defense officials, including Maj. Gen. Charles Hooper, attend reception celebrating the 90th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army at the Chinese Embassy in Washington.
: In an interview with The Washington Free Beacon, CIA Director Mike Pompeo says “China has the capacity to present the greatest rivalry to America” in the long term.
: At a hearing entitled “Assessing the Maximum Pressure and Engagement Policy toward North Korea,” Acting Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Susan Thornton discusses China in testimony before the US Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity.
: Two Chinese J-10 fighter jets buzz US Navy EP-3 approximately 90 nm south of Qingdao in the East China Sea with one jet allegedly coming within 300 feet of the EP-3.
: Secretary of Agriculture Perdue announces agreement on protocol to allow the US to begin exporting rice to China for the first time.
: Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson and People’s Liberation Army Navy Commander Vice Adm. Shen Jinlong hold a video conference.
: Secretary of Commerce Ross and Secretary of the Treasury Mnuchin host a Chinese delegation led by Vice Premier Wang Yang for first round of US-China Comprehensive Economic Dialogue in Washington.
: Secretary of Commerce Ross hosts a meeting of over 20 business leaders from the United States and China to discuss issues troubling economic relations between the countries. The session is moderated by Jack Ma and Stephen Schwarzman.
: House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations holds hearing on “The Tragic Case of Liu Xiaobo.”
: In remarks at the Summer Meeting of the National Governors Association in Providence, Rhode Island, Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai says that “troubling developments” could derail US-China relations. He also calls for the negotiation of a bilateral investment treaty.
: Secretary of State Tillerson issues a statement mourning the passing of 2010 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Liu Xiaobo, noting that he embodied the human spirit that the Nobel Prize rewards. Tillerson also calls on China to release his wife Liu Xia.
: President Trump releases statement on the death of Liu Xiaobo through White House Press Secretary Office.
: Onboard Air Force One, President Trump tells reporters that China has been dumping steel and “destroying our steel industry” for decades. He says he will stop this through “quotas and tariffs, maybe both.”
: President Trump tweets an article from The Gazette titled “After 14 years, US beef hits Chinese market. Trade deal an exciting opportunity for agriculture.”
: Human Rights Commission of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs holds a hearing on freedom of religion in Tibet.
: US-China Economic and Security Review Commission holds a roundtable on the Health of China’s Economy.
: China acknowledges apology from US for White House press release on the Trump-Xi G20 meeting which mistakenly referred to Xi Jinping as president of the Republic of China.
: Two US B-1 Lancer bombers from Guam conduct a freedom of navigation flight over the South China Sea.
: President Trump tweets: “Trade between China and North Korea grew almost 40% in the first quarter. So much for China working with us – but we had to give it a try!”
: After North Korea launches its 11th ballistic missile of the year, Trump tweets: “Perhaps China will put a heavy move on North Korea and end this nonsense once and for all!”
: Vice Premier Wang Yang and Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross hold a telephone conversation in which they discuss economic relations between the two countries.
: President Trump speaks by phone with President Xi. They discuss North Korea, trade relations and “a range of other regional and bilateral issues of mutual interest.”
: US destroyer USS Stethem conducts FON operation within 12 nm of Triton Island in the Paracel Island chain while shadowed by a Chinese warship.
: US-China Economic and Security Review Commission releases statement on recent developments Hong Kong on the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover from the UK to China.
: Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue joins Ambassador Branstad to slice a Nebraska prime rib in a Beijing ceremony, formally marking the return of US beef to the Chinese market after a 13 year hiatus.
: State Department notifies Congress of its intention to sell an arms package to Taiwan worth $1.42 billion.
: Treasury designates Bank of Dandong as a “foreign bank of primary money laundering concern” and imposes sanctions on two Chinese citizens and one Chinese shipping company.
: US State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons downgrades China to the lowest rating in its annual Trafficking in Persons Report.
: US Ambassador to China Terry Branstad identifies the bilateral trade imbalance, the North Korean threat, and people-to-people ties as top priorities in a video message to the Chinese people.
: Li Xie, director of China’s export division at China’s Commerce Ministry, speaks at a Commerce Department hearing on the Section 232 Investigation on the Effect of Imports of Aluminum on US National Security.
: US-China Economic and Security Review Commission holds a hearing on US access to China’s consumer market in e-commerce, logistics, and financial services sectors.
: Chinese State Councilor Yang and CMC member Fang meet President Trump.
: US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer expresses concerns about Chinese trade practices and market economy status at a hearing on trade policy held by Senate Committee on Finance.
: Secretaries Tillerson and Mattis host State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Gen. Fang Fenghui, chief of the Joint Staff Department of the PLA, for the first US-China Diplomatic and Security Dialogue in Washington.
: President Trump says the US has a “great relationship with China” at rally in Cedar Rapids, Iowa with China Ambassador and former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad.
: President Trump tweets “While I greatly appreciate the efforts of President Xi & China to help with North Korea, it has not worked out. At least I know China tried!”
: Premier Li Keqiang encourages US business community to invest in China and contribute to bilateral economic cooperation during meeting with US delegation of business leaders and former officials.
: PLA Navy Commander Shen Jinlong meets visiting Commander of the US Pacific Fleet Adm. Scott Swift in Beijing.
: Justice Department files a complaint to forfeit $1.9 million from Mingzheng International Trading Ltd. for transactions on behalf of North Korea’s state-owned Foreign Trade Bank.
: Ambassador Cui Tiankai welcomes US participation in the Belt and Road Initiative in speech at High-Level Dialogue on China-US Economic Relations in New York.
: In testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Secretary of State Tillerson describes Chinese cooperation on North Korea as “notable” but “uneven.”
: US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett arrives in Zhanjiang, China for a scheduled port visit.
: Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announces the finalization of technical documents allowing for the US to resume commercial shipments of beef to China achieved as part of the US-China Comprehensive Economic Dialogue.
: Two US Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers fly a training mission from Guam over the South China Sea in conjunction with the Navy’s USS Sterett guided-missile destroyer.
: US-China Economic and Security Review Commission holds a hearing on China’s relations with Northeast Asia and continental Southeast Asia.
: State Department’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs releases Review of Key Developments in Hong Kong, finding that while China has taken actions inconsistent with its commitment to the Basic Law, Hong Kong still enjoys a “high degree of autonomy.”
: Energy Secretary Rick Perry attends Eighth Clean Energy Ministerial and Second Mission Innovation Ministerial in Beijing and meets Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli.
: State Department deputy spokesperson calls on China to release three labor activists affiliated with China Labor Watch and grant them judicial protections and a fair trial.
: Department of Defense releases its annual report, Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China.
: Treasury Secretary Mnuchin speaks on US-China economic relations at an event at the US-China Business Council in Washington.
: Secretary of State Tillerson issues a statement marking the 28th anniversary of the Chinese government’s violent suppression of protests in Tiananmen Square.
: At the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Secretary of Defense James Mattis welcomes China’s economic development and acknowledges that “China occupies a legitimate position of influence in the Pacific” while criticizing Chinese actions that undermine the rules-based order.
: US law enforcement hands over to Chinese police a criminal suspect named Zhu who was listed on an Interpol red notice and was accused of “serious offenses” by China.
: US Navy confirms that China has been invited to attend next year’s US-hosted Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises.
: President Trump tweets “North Korea has shown great disrespect for their neighbor, China, by shooting off yet another ballistic missile…but China is trying hard!”
: Acting Assistant Secretary of State Susan Thornton visits Beijing to discuss bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest with Chinese officials.
: Two Chinese J-10 fighter jets come within several hundred feet of a US Navy P-3 Orion over the South China Sea.
: US Navy destroyer sails within 12 nm of Mischief Reef, in the Spratly Island chain in a freedom of navigation operation, the first under the Trump administration.
: US and China hold second bilateral Nuclear Security Dialogue in Washington, hosted by Dong Zhihua, deputy director general of the MFA’s Department of Arms Control, and Robert Gromoll, acting deputy assistant secretary of State.
: Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats provides an assessment of the threats posed by China in a hearing convened by the Senate Armed Services Committee on the Worldwide Threat Assessment.
: State Councilor Yang Jiechi has telephone call with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in which they discuss coordination on the upcoming first round of the US-China diplomatic and security dialogue.
: US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designates seven targets in connection with Iran’s ballistic missile program, including four Chinese targets.
: Two Chinese Su-30 fighter jets intercept a US Air Force radiation detection plane over the East China Sea.
: China holds the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing. Matthew Pottinger, senior director for East Asia on the National Security Council staff, represents Trump administration.
: President Donald Trump tweets “China just agreed that the U.S. will be allowed to sell beef, and other major products, into China once again. This is REAL news!”
: US and China jointly announce the initial results of the 100-day action plan of the US-China Comprehensive Economic Dialogue.
: US-China Economic and Security Review Commission conducts a hearing on China’s Information Controls, Global Media Influence, and Cyber Warfare Strategy.
: Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang holds a phone conversation with US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, in which they exchange ideas on enhancing bilateral economic cooperation.