Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s recent visit to China proved to be a positive step in improving U.S.-China relations. Blinken had constructive and substantive discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other officials in Beijing, indicating a shared desire to stabilize the relationship. Despite the tensions between the two countries, both sides expressed a willingness to find common ground.
Getting an audience with President Xi was a welcome development, considering the deterioration in U.S.-China ties. The last time a U.S. Secretary of State had such a high-level meeting with the Chinese president was in 2018. The announcement of the meeting just 45 minutes prior demonstrates the careful choreography of the visit.
Blinken’s scheduled trip to Beijing in February was canceled due to a Chinese surveillance balloon incident that raised concerns in Washington. This decision was met with displeasure from Chinese officials, who criticized the U.S. for its military and surveillance activities worldwide. In response, Beijing published a treatise on the harms caused by U.S. “hegemony,” and rhetoric about a “Cold War mentality” intensified.
During the meeting, President Xi appeared optimistic, stating that progress had been made and agreements reached on some specific issues. He emphasized the importance of responsible handling of U.S.-China relations for the future and destiny of mankind. Blinken also emphasized that improving bilateral ties required more than just one visit, but the past two days were an important start.
However, there are still significant challenges ahead for better U.S.-China relations. Both countries view each other as rivals, making competition inevitable. Tensions over issues like Taiwan and the South China Sea have increased, and communication channels have become strained. Blinken was unable to convince China to reopen military-to-military channels, which has raised concerns about accidental military encounters and escalation.
In Washington, leading congressional Republicans criticized Blinken’s trip, reflecting the growing bipartisan hawkishness towards China. The Biden administration faces limited room for maneuver in navigating the current moment, especially with the upcoming 2024 election cycle. China’s autocratic government is also sensitive to nationalist sentiment, particularly as it deals with economic challenges.
Small signs of agreement or understanding did emerge during the visit. Blinken appreciated China’s assurances on not providing lethal assistance to Russia in Ukraine and welcomed Xi’s involvement in resolving the conflict. The United States also emphasized the importance of the bilateral trade relationship and reducing risks, rather than decoupling from China.
The next phase of diplomacy may involve visits by other U.S. officials, such as Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. There is also a possibility of President Biden and President Xi meeting at the APEC summit in November. Some analysts suggest dropping certain tariffs on Chinese goods as a confidence-building measure, but the potential backlash from the U.S. right poses a challenge for the Biden administration.
Both sides have their own red lines, with China stating that there is no room for compromise on Taiwan and accusing the U.S. of seeking to change the balance around the island. The geopolitical standoff in the region is becoming more entrenched, as U.S. allies in Asia strengthen their security cooperation.
Overall, the visit raised questions about whether there is a lack of understanding between the U.S. and China or if there is a mutual understanding that both countries must navigate carefully.
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