The United States issued a congratulatory message marking China's 77th National Day on October 1. However, it made no mention whatsoever of Chinese General Secretary and President Xi Jinping's recent visit to the U.S. or the agreements reached between the U.S. and Chinese leaders. It seems difficult to interpret this as anything other than a mere reluctant congratulation.

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He released a brief message on the 1st congratulating China on its 77th National Day. / Xinhua News Agency

According to Beijing diplomatic sources versed in U.S.-China relations on the 2nd, the U.S. State Department released a brief congratulatory statement under the name of Secretary of State Marco Rubio the previous day (local time) on the occasion of China's National Day. The statement read, "On behalf of the United States, I congratulate China on its October 1 National Day. The United States wishes the people of China health, happiness, prosperity, and peace in the year ahead."

The U.S. State Department has customarily issued congratulatory messages whenever China marks its National Day. This year was no exception. It was therefore hardly unusual that the message was identical in content to the congratulatory statement issued last year.

However, this statement could be seen as somewhat peculiar. That is because it was released merely five days after President Xi left Washington, D.C., where the U.S.-China summit took place. Contrary to such expectations, however, the statement contained no mention of his recent visit to the U.S. Nor did it include details regarding trade-related agreements reached by both nations during Xi's trip to the U.S. or the additional meetings between the U.S. and Chinese leaders scheduled for later this year. This was the case even though the U.S. acknowledges the fact that both leaders are slated to meet twice more this year. It seems difficult not to view this as more than a simple lack of sincerity.

In any case, the U.S. government continued its past practice of issuing a congratulatory message for China's National Day. While it may have amounted to nothing more than simple courtesy, it still seems worthy of note.

                                                                                                           Hong Soon-do