In a significant development aimed at improving bilateral relations, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in a three-hour meeting with China’s top foreign policy official, Wang Yi, at the historic Diaoyutai gardens in Beijing. While no official confirmation has been given about a meeting between Blinken and Chinese President Xi Jinping, American diplomats believe it is likely to take place.
The meeting between Blinken and Wang Yi was seen as crucial, given the current state of China-U.S. relations. During the meeting, Wang emphasized the need for a choice between dialogue and confrontation, cooperation or conflict, to reverse the downward spiral in relations. He stressed the importance of finding a correct way for the two nations to coexist and return to a healthy and stable track.
Wang also issued a stern warning on the issue of Taiwan, reiterating China’s firm stance against any compromise or concession. He emphasized that the United States must adhere to the One China principle, respect China’s sovereignty, and clearly oppose any moves toward Taiwanese independence. Prior to their meeting, Blinken and Wang exchanged pleasantries and polite smiles for the cameras. They were accompanied by their aides, who wore masks in accordance with COVID-19 protocols.
Tensions between the two largest economies in the world have escalated over the years, encompassing trade, technology, and the Taiwan issue. U.S. officials expressed that while they did not anticipate major breakthroughs from the talks, their aim was to reopen regular lines of communication to prevent conflicts from escalating. In a separate meeting on Sunday, Blinken had a lengthy discussion lasting seven and a half hours with China’s Foreign Minister, Qin Gang. Both sides agreed to maintain communication channels.
The talks were described as candid, substantive, and constructive, with Blinken underscoring the importance of diplomacy and open communication to avoid misunderstandings and miscalculations. Qin acknowledged that U.S.-China relations are currently at their lowest point since the establishment of diplomatic ties. He stressed that this situation does not align with the fundamental interests of both countries or meet the expectations of the international community.
The talks between Blinken and Chinese officials were seen as a significant step toward rebuilding dialogue and finding common ground. Although no major breakthroughs were expected, the fact that the discussions went beyond the usual talking points indicated a genuine effort to address the challenges and complexities in the bilateral relationship. Both sides expressed a willingness to continue engagement, and it was announced that Qin Gang accepted an offer to visit Washington at a later date, further indicating a potential path toward improving relations.