BEIJING BLAMES US FOR FREEZE IN RELATIONS

China's Foreign Minister welcomed former president Richard Nixon to Beijing Saturday and told him Washington was to blame for worsening relations. ``The present difficulties in Sino-US relations are not what we would like to see nor what we have created,'' Qian Qichen told Mr. Nixon at a welcoming banquet.

Mr. Qian said the overall interests of safeguarding world peace and the long-term interests of the two countries required them to make a success of their relations.

He praised Nixon for his political foresight and courage in going to China ``at a difficult and critical moment.''

Nixon said he was confident of the ``restoration and growth'' of ties important to both countries.