Rosalind Evans
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in a telephone conversation with China’s foreign minister on Wednesday, a discussion that precedes an eagerly awaited visit by the top US diplomat to Beijing as both global powers endeavour to improve their strained relationship.
According to a statement by US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, during the call with Qin Gang, Blinken emphasized “the importance of maintaining open lines of communication” to responsibly manage US-China relations, aiming to prevent misjudgments and conflicts.
The statement further indicated that Blinken addressed various bilateral and global issues, affirming that the US would continue employing diplomatic engagement to raise concerns and explore potential areas of cooperation.
China’s summary of the call was notably more direct, underscoring the deep-seated mistrust between Beijing and Washington.
Qin urged Blinken to exhibit “respect” regarding China’s core concerns, such as the Taiwan issue. Additionally, Qin called upon the US to refrain from interfering in China’s internal affairs and undermining its sovereignty, security, and developmental interests in the guise of competition, per a statement from China’s Foreign Ministry.
Qin expressed hope that the US would meet China halfway, effectively manage differences, foster communication and cooperation, and stabilize bilateral relations, enabling them to return to a healthy and stable development path.
The US and Chinese summaries of the phone call did not mention Blinken’s upcoming visit. However, the State Department subsequently announced that he would travel to Beijing over the weekend.
In a statement, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated, “While in Beijing, Secretary Blinken will meet with senior PRC officials where he will discuss the importance of maintaining open lines of communication to manage the U.S.-PRC relationship responsibly.” Miller added that Blinken would address bilateral concerns, global and regional issues and explore potential cooperation in addressing shared transnational challenges.
This announcement follows a series of meetings between senior US and Chinese officials since the previous month and US President Joe Biden’s anticipation of an imminent “thaw” in relations with Beijing.
Blinken had initially intended to visit China in February as the two nations sought to stabilize their ties after an in-person meeting between their leaders in Indonesia the previous November.
However, the high-stakes trip was postponed due to the incident involving a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that flew over the continental US and was subsequently downed.
Since then, the already tense relations between the US and China have become notably more strained, with issues surrounding Taiwan, the South China Sea, and chip export restrictions fueling tensions.
China’s Communist Party asserts its authority over the self-governed, democratic Taiwan, despite never having governed it, and has vowed to eventually reunify it with the mainland, even by force if deemed necessary.
Moreover, China claims historical jurisdiction over almost the entire expansive South China Sea and has transformed small reefs and sandbars into heavily fortified artificial islands equipped with missiles, runways, and weapon systems, eliciting solid objections from other claimants.
Qin’s remarks during his conversation with Blinken, as reported in the Chinese summary, indirectly blame the US for the heightened tensions in recent months. Qin stated that since the beginning of the year, China-US relations have encountered new difficulties and challenges, with the responsibility for these issues being clear. Qin emphasized that China has always approached its relationship with the US based on the principles of “mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation” advocated by Xi Jinping.
The upcoming visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Beijing holds significant importance as the United States and China strive to navigate their complex relationship. The phone call between Blinken and China’s foreign minister highlighted the need for open communication and understanding, albeit with underlying tensions and differences apparent. The visit presents an opportunity to address bilateral concerns, foster cooperation on global challenges, and pave the way for improved ties between the two superpowers.
