U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to arrive in Beijing on Sunday, amid frosty bilateral ties and dim prospects for any breakthrough on the long list of disputes between the world’s two largest economies. | Reuters
“There’s a recognition on both sides that we do need to have senior level channels of communication,” a senior State Department official told reporters during a refuel stop in Tokyo en route to Beijing.
Ties between the countries have deteriorated across the board, raising concerns that they might one day clash militarily over the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which China claims as its own. They are also at odds over issues ranging from trade, U.S. efforts to hold back China’s semiconductor industry and Beijing’s human rights track record.
Speaking at a news conference on Friday before departing for Beijing, Blinken said the trip had three main objectives: Setting up mechanisms for crisis management, advancing U.S. and allies’ interests and speaking directly about related concerns, and exploring areas of potential cooperation. But U.S. officials in a briefing call previewing the trip earlier in the week played down any expectations of much progress. While Blinken’s main goal will be “candid, direct and constructive” discussions, the officials said, breakthroughs are not likely on any major issues, including the flow of fentanyl precursors and Americans detained in China.But there is an expectation that Blinken’s visit will pave the way for more bilateral meetings in coming months, including possible trips by U.S.
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