BEIJING - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and China's top diplomat Wang Yi held crucial talks in Beijing, seeking to prevent escalating tensions between the two countries. The diplomats met at the Diaoyutai state guest house, engaging in discussions that lasted approximately three hours.
The anticipated meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese President Xi Jinping remains uncertain, although sources suggest it is likely. The State Department and Chinese officials have not yet confirmed this engagement. Additionally, Blinken is scheduled to meet with U.S. business representatives in Beijing, specifically in the healthcare, automobile, and entertainment sectors, to gain insights into the business environment in China.
During U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's historic visit to China, he engaged in extensive discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, lasting over 7-1/2 hours. However, concrete progress on various contentious issues, including Taiwan, trade, human rights, fentanyl control, and differing views on the Ukrainian conflict, was limited. Blinken emphasized the importance of minimizing misinterpretation and miscalculation in their talks. Both sides acknowledged the significance of facilitating easier travel for their citizens and agreed to work on increasing passenger flights, leading to a rise in Chinese airline shares. Despite their profound differences, they expressed a shared desire to stabilize bilateral relations, with Qin's future visit to Washington serving as a continuation of their dialogue, although no specific date was announced.
In an editorial on Monday, the state-run Chinese tabloid Global Times acknowledged that while expectations for significant breakthroughs during Blinken's visit to China were low, there is still optimism that both sides can uphold their respective "bottom lines" in the relationship. U.S. officials, briefing reporters on Sunday, recognized that the challenges at hand would not be resolved through a few meetings, but initiating the conversations was seen as an accomplishment.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to China aims to engage in sustained diplomacy, despite low expectations for immediate breakthroughs. The trip is closely monitored globally, as worsening relations between the two largest economies could have significant implications. The Taiwan issue remains a core concern, with China emphasizing its importance and potential risks.
China's reluctance to hold regular military talks with the US raises concerns among neighboring countries. While major breakthroughs were not anticipated, Blinken's visit is seen as a stepping stone for future bilateral meetings and could set the stage for discussions between President Xi and President Biden at multilateral summits. Initial talks between the leaders in November 2022 addressed Taiwan and North Korea but failed to prevent deteriorating relations.