US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has commenced discussions with China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang in Beijing, marking the beginning of two days of critical talks with Chinese officials.
This visit represents the first by an American diplomat to China in nearly five years.
Amidst an atmosphere of heightened tensions, US officials emphasize that the primary objective of these talks is to stabilize the strained relationship between the two nations. The discussions come after a delay of almost five months following an earlier scheduled visit by Blinken, prompted by the presence of a suspected Chinese spy balloon in US airspace.
Qin Gang welcomed Blinken on Sunday at the Diaoyutai State Guest House, an opulent estate frequently utilized for hosting visiting dignitaries. The two diplomats exchanged formal greetings before their respective national flags and proceeded to hold meetings with their delegations at extended tables.
The cordial but business-like greeting underscores the frosty nature of the relationship that has evolved between the two superpowers in recent years.
The crucial talks between the US and China encompass several key priorities. While both sides have made it clear that they do not anticipate any major breakthrough, the primary goal for US officials is to reestablish channels of high-level communication and stabilize the strained relations that have transpired since the balloon incident.
The agenda includes meetings with Qin Gang and senior Chinese foreign policy official Wang Yi. Various topics are expected to be discussed, including the conflict in Ukraine, trade disputes related to advanced computer technologies, the fentanyl drug epidemic in the US, and Chinese human rights practices.
Chinese officials have exhibited a restrained response to Blinken's visit, expressing doubts about the sincerity of the US' efforts to mend relations. Whether Blinken will have a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping remains uncertain.
As the highest-ranking US government official to visit China since President Joe Biden assumed office in January 2021, Blinken emphasizes the importance of communication in managing the competition between the two nations. He stated on Friday, "If we want to make sure, as we do, that the competition that we have with China doesn't veer into conflict, the place you start is with communicating." Furthermore, Blinken expressed his hope to meet President Xi in the coming months.
A meeting between President Biden and Xi Jinping in Bali last November briefly eased concerns of a new Cold War. However, high-level communication between the two leaders has been scarce since the balloon incident, heightening tensions between the United States and China. Photo by U.S. Embassy Nigeria, Wikimedia commons.