Secretary of State Blinken Heads to China for High-Stakes Talks Amidst US-China Tensions
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit China next week as tensions between the US and China continue to rise over various issues.
These include differences on the Middle East, opioid supply, and global stability.
The two countries are at odds on numerous fronts, including Russia's war in Ukraine, Taiwan and the South China Sea, North Korea, Hong Kong, human rights, and the detention of American citizens.
Additionally, they are engaged in a trade war, with the US announcing new tariffs on Chinese steel imports.
Blinken, the US Secretary of State, is traveling to China for three days starting Wednesday to meet with senior Chinese officials, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Discussions will cover various topics such as the Middle East, Ukraine war, South China Sea, Taiwan Strait, and counternarcotics cooperation, military-to-military communication, artificial intelligence, and people-to-people ties.
A meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected but not yet confirmed.
Both sides will emphasize the importance of responsible competition despite disagreements.
President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping had a phone call this month, during which they reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining open lines of communication between their countries, as they had agreed to do during their summit in California last year.