US Secretary of State Antony Blinken begins visit to Beijing to de-escalate Sino-US relations
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Beijing on Sunday, where according to Chinese state television he will meet with several high-ranking officials, dpa and Agerpres report. Blinken has not visited China since taking up his post in 2021.
Originally scheduled for February, his two-day visit - a move to de-escalate Sino-US relations - was then cancelled at the last minute after the Americans discovered a Chinese spy balloon flying over US territory,
The US official said on Friday he would discuss "directly and frankly" Washington's "very real concerns" on several issues, with the aim of establishing "open and more authoritative communication" for "responsible management" of bilateral relations, dpa and AFP report. "Intense competition requires sustained diplomacy to avoid turning competition into confrontation or conflict," he said.
Relations between the two major powers are strained by Beijing's support for Russia's war against Ukraine, China's threats against Taiwan and trade clashes in areas such as advanced microprocessors.
Blinken will meet first with his Chinese counterpart, Qin Ganga, on Sunday afternoon, and the two will also attend a dinner.
Beijing foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said his country was open to dialogue, but with conditions: "You can't say one thing and do another" and Washington should "give up the illusion" of dealing "from a position of strength". "China and the US should develop relations on the basis of mutual respect and equality, respect differences in history, culture, social system and development path, and take into account each other's fundamental interests and important concerns," he said.
