I am with you.

China has isolated itself. The only way to break the isolation seems to be to fix the relations with the US. Hence Wang Yi "Three Lists" plan to re-open talks with the US.

Trouble is, they don't have partners in Washington anymore, as we enter the presidential lame duck period with lots of campaigning based on a strong anti-China theme going on.

No-one would want to be seen shaking hands with Chinese officials.