During his second visit to China in less than a year, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated the importance of managing differences between the United States and China with caution. The trip began with a tour of Shanghai’s Bund promenade along the Huangpu River, where Blinken attended a basketball match before meeting with local Chinese leaders.
In New York University in Shanghai, Blinken spoke to students about the value of direct engagement and the need to foster people-to-people ties between the two countries. He also addressed concerns about Chinese nationals arriving in the US and emphasized the importance of cooperation for both countries’ well-being and the future of humanity.
Blinken’s visit to Beijing will involve meetings with Chinese leaders to discuss contentious issues such as trade practices, military assistance packages for Taiwan, and China’s relationship with Russia. Despite recent strains in US-China relations, efforts to ease tensions have been ongoing, culminating in renewed contacts between their armies and increased cooperation on various issues.
One key point of contention is China’s relationship with Russia, particularly regarding providing dual-use equipment and technologies that facilitate Russia’s rearmament efforts. Additionally, the passing of a US Congress law requiring TikTok by its Chinese parent company has heightened tensions between the two countries. Both sides are expected to address these issues during Blinken’s visit to Beijing.
