HONG KONG — Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, wrapping up a three-day visit to China focused on addressing contentious issues and warnings of strained relations. The meeting took place at the Great Hall of the People, where Xi emphasized the importance of a partnership between the United States and China, rather than viewing each other as adversaries.
During a press briefing after the meeting, Blinken emphasized the desire for China’s economy to grow while emphasizing the need for fair trade practices. He raised concerns about what he described as China’s unfair trade practices and the risk of Chinese industrial overcapacity flooding global markets with products like solar panels and electric vehicles.
The primary goal of Blinken’s visit was to caution China about its support for Russia in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. He expressed concerns about China’s supply of dual-use items that support Russia’s defense industry, allowing Moscow to sustain its assault on Ukraine.
In addition to these issues, Blinken and Xi discussed a range of topics such as Chinese economic practices, aggression in the South China Sea, stability in the Taiwan Strait, North Korea’s nuclear program, and the Israel-Hamas conflict. Blinken also had a lengthy and constructive meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, where they discussed commitments made by Xi and President Joe Biden during their summit in California, including cooperation on counternarcotics and artificial intelligence.
The visit comes at a time when U.S.-China relations are being tested by various factors, including U.S. security alliances in the Asia-Pacific, concerns about Chinese goods flooding global markets, and potential tariffs on Chinese goods. The passage of legislation that could lead to a ban on the Chinese app TikTok also looms over bilateral relations. Despite these challenges, Blinken remains committed to engaging with China in face-to-face diplomacy to address differences and avoid misunderstandings.
This visit marks Blinken’s second trip to China in less than a year as efforts continue to stabilize relations between the two countries. The Biden-Xi summit aimed to improve ties that had deteriorated over trade, technology, Taiwan, and other issues. With both nations working towards cooperation on various fronts, the future of U.S.-China relations remains complex and multifaceted.