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In a positive development towards stabilizing relations between the US and China, both countries are establishing new channels of communication to address contentious issues. This comes after Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Beijing in June.
According to three reliable sources, Washington and Beijing will establish two working groups to focus on Asia-Pacific regional issues and maritime issues, and potentially a third group to address broader areas of concern.
The tension between the two powers stems from various issues, including China’s assertive actions around Taiwan and refusal to condemn the invasion of Ukraine, as well as Beijing’s concerns about US alliances in the Indo-Pacific and strict export controls.
Recently, The Financial Times reported that the White House plans to request more funding from Congress for weapons for Taiwan, marking the first time that US taxpayers would be directly involved in funding arms supply to the country. President Joe Biden is also expected to unveil an executive order that restricts US investment in sectors in China with military applications.
Further details about these developments are expected to be worked out in the coming months. The discussions took place during a meeting between top Chinese official Yang Tao and senior US officials in Washington on Monday. However, it should be noted that a final decision has not been reached.
These developments represent the first concrete progress towards the goal set by Biden and China’s President Xi Jinping in Bali last November to establish a “floor” under the relationship and prevent competition from escalating into conflict.
Sources indicate that a series of meetings are being considered to address difficult issues with clear objectives. However, the US is not aiming to recreate the formal “dialogues” of past administrations, which critics argue were too focused on process rather than outcomes.
The decision to avoid official “dialogues” comes as Republicans in Congress criticize the administration for engaging with Beijing at high levels, labeling it as “zombie engagement,” according to House China chair Mike Gallagher.
Kurt Tong, managing partner at The Asia Group consultancy, emphasized the importance of reestablishing systematic communication on core issues and the potential benefits it holds for national security.
The establishment of these working groups follows visits by top US officials to China, which were postponed earlier due to concerns over a suspected Chinese spy balloon. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen recently visited China, and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is scheduled to visit soon.
Scott Kennedy, a China expert at the CSIS think-tank, emphasized the importance of intensifying communication with China on critical issues that have implications for peace and war.
Ryan Hass, a China specialist at the Brookings Institution, noted that the US is not interested in talks for the sake of talks and has not resumed previous formal dialogues. He expects the US to maintain a firm posture and not make concessions during exchanges with Chinese counterparts.
Bonnie Glaser, a China expert at the German Marshall Fund, welcomed China’s willingness to form working groups with the US but questioned whether these channels would produce tangible results. She highlighted potential areas like North Korea’s nuclear weapons and the ongoing Ukraine conflict where US-China cooperation would be significant.
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