Blinken in Beijing as U.S., China look to cool tensions

A breakthrough isn’t expected in any of the issues recently straining ties, from Taiwan and trade to the South China Sea and human rights

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, shakes hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, right, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China on June 18, 2023. | Photo Credit: AP

Antony Blinken landed in Beijing on Sunday in the first visit by a U.S. Secretary of State in five years, as the world’s two biggest powers attempt to manage an increasingly fractious relationship.

Mr. Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang held talks on Sunday for several hours before a working dinner. Mr. Blinken said following the talks that both sides “discussed how we can responsibly manage the relationship between our two countries through open channels of communication.” They emphasised “the importance of diplomacy and maintaining open channels of communication across the full range of issues to reduce the risk of misperception and miscalculation,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

A Chinese statement said that an agreement was reached on encouraging more exchanges, including on increasing passenger flights, and more mutual visits by students, scholars and businesspeople. “Both sides agreed to jointly implement the important common understandings reached by the two Presidents in Bali, effectively manage differences, and advance dialogue, exchanges and cooperation,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said, adding that “both sides agreed to maintain high-level interactions” and Mr. Blinken invited the Chinese Foreign Minister to the U.S.

Taiwan question

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Mr. Qin also “expounded on China’s firm position and raised clear demands on the Taiwan question and other core interests and major concerns” describing the Taiwan issue as “the most consequential issue and the most pronounced risk in the China-U.S. relationship.”

A breakthrough isn’t expected in any of the key issues recently straining ties, from Taiwan and trade to the South China Sea and human rights. That the visit is taking place is, in of itself, being seen by both sides as a sign of much-needed progress.

A meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping could take place on Monday which could pave the way for U.S. President Joe Biden to meet with the Chinese President later this year. The G-20 Summit in New Delhi in September could provide the platform for their first meeting since Bali.