Antony Blinken, the Secretary of State, is set to travel to China in the upcoming week as part of the Biden administration’s efforts to maintain stability in the US-China relationship. This will be Blinken’s second trip to China since becoming the top US diplomat. The visit comes after a period of tension between the two countries, including an incident where an American fighter plane shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon. President Joe Biden recently had a phone call with Xi Jinping, the first conversation between the leaders since their summit in November.
The State Department has expressed optimism about the state of the US-China relationship compared to a year ago when it was at a “historic low point.” Blinken’s trip to China will involve meetings with senior officials in both Shanghai and Beijing. The trip has three primary objectives: making progress on key issues, addressing concerns about bilateral regional and global issues, and responsibly managing competition between the two countries. The US plans to discuss China’s support for Russia’s defense industry, human rights abuses, and unfair economic practices during the trip.
During Blinken’s previous visit to China last June, he met with top officials including President Xi Jinping in an effort to resume normal channels of communication and avoid conflict between the two global powers. He also had a “candid and constructive” conversation with top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi in July. The upcoming trip will also cover discussions on the situation in the Middle East, including urging China to press Iran to exercise restraint amidst tensions with Israel. Blinken will also address challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, such as China’s actions in the South China Sea and North Korea’s threatening rhetoric.
The recent phone call between President Biden and President Xi touched on a range of issues, including global conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, as well as North Korea’s nuclear capabilities. The leaders also discussed contentious topics such as Taiwan, Chinese provocations in the South China Sea, and human rights abuses in China. The US has been vocal in its criticism of China on these issues, both publicly and privately. Blinken’s upcoming trip to China will serve as an opportunity to address these concerns directly with senior officials and reaffirm the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
The US has repeatedly called on China to play a constructive role in global issues, such as pressing Iran on restraint and addressing challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. Blinken’s trip aims to continue dialogue with China on these matters while also raising key concerns about China’s actions in support of Russia, human rights abuses, and unfair trade practices. The Biden administration is working to maintain a stable relationship with China while addressing areas of contention and managing competition between the two countries. The upcoming trip will be an important opportunity for Blinken to advance these objectives and engage in direct conversations with Chinese officials on key issues of mutual concern.
