US Secretary of State Antony Blinken embarked on his journey to China and the UK on June 16, 2023, from Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. This marks Blinken’s first visit to China since the Biden administration took office. Despite being delayed for over four months, this high-level meeting holds significance amidst the escalating tensions between the two nations.
While the talks themselves are not expected to yield major outcomes, Blinken’s visit to Beijing sets the stage for future meetings, possibly between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year. Scott Kennedy, a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, views this trip as a potentially pivotal moment in the relationship, emphasizing the importance of strengthening communication and scheduling additional cabinet-level meetings if the talks go well.
In recent years, communication and meetings between the US and China have been scarce due to the pandemic and political tensions. The US Department of State aims to address this by emphasizing the significance of maintaining open lines of communication to responsibly manage the US-China relationship. Blinken will discuss bilateral issues, global and regional matters, and potential cooperation on shared transnational challenges. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the visit, although specific meeting details were not disclosed.
Although expectations are not high for a significant recovery in the US-China relationship, Blinken’s visit plays a crucial role in preventing further deterioration. The Biden administration’s approach highlights the need for competing and cooperating where necessary, but China remains resistant to this perspective. Drew Thompson, a former US Defense Department official, explains that China views competition and cooperation through a political lens, making true cooperation challenging unless political confrontations cease.
The past few months have been turbulent on the geopolitical front as the world awaited Blinken’s rescheduled visit to China. Instances such as the alleged Chinese spy balloon flying over US airspace and security concerns surrounding TikTok heightened tensions. Despite these developments, the mood in Washington, D.C., is not as bleak as it was earlier this year.
Tensions also extend to the issue of Taiwan. In an effort to avoid any accidents or conflicts, both countries recognize the importance of establishing military, diplomatic, and economic guardrails to reduce confrontation and reactive actions.
Despite their differences, the US and China remain each other’s largest trading partners, and meetings between officials from both sides have continued. Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met his US counterpart in May, and US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is expected to visit China at a later date. Looking ahead, there is a possibility of Chinese President Xi Jinping visiting the US for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Summit in San Francisco in November.
Jia Qingguo, a professor at Peking University, cautions against expecting significant outcomes from Blinken’s meetings but highlights the importance of maintaining multiple levels of exchange between the two nations. Relying solely on high-level leadership to uphold ties poses risks, making it crucial to foster more frequent and meaningful communication between the US and China.
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