On Sunday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held candid, substantive, and constructive talks with his Chinese counterpart at the start of two days of meetings with officials in China, according to the US State Department.
In a statement, the Department indicated that Blinken addressed a host of controversial subjects, whilst simultaneously identifying potential areas of cooperation between the U.S. and China.
Blinken, in the course of these lengthy conversations, reiterated the U.S. vision of a “free, open world that supports a rules-based international system.” Furthermore, he invited Chinese diplomat Wang Yi to visit Washington, with U.S. officials, indicating that they are currently arranging a suitable time for the visit.
The open and constructive exchange between the U.S. and China underlines the vital importance of diplomatic discussions amid the complex dynamics of the contemporary global environment. As both superpowers grapple with intricate and multifaceted issues, this dialogue reflects their readiness to explore avenues for potential collaboration.
His trip is the first by a top US diplomat to China in almost five years.
A planned Blinken visit in February was called off after a suspected Chinese spy balloon flew into US airspace.
US officials say the main goal of the Beijing talks is to stabilize a relationship that has become extremely tense, according to BBC.
China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang told Mr Blinken that Beijing was committed to building a stable, predictable, and constructive relationship with the US, state media said. US officials said he had agreed to a visit to Washington at the talks.
Mr. Qin said Taiwan was the “most prominent risk” for China-US relations and described the Taiwan issue as one of “China’s core interests”, state media said.
China sees self-ruled Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually be under Beijing’s control, but Taiwan sees itself as distinct from the Chinese mainland with its own constitution and leaders. US President Joe Biden said last year that the US would defend Taiwan in the event of an attack from China, a move condemned by Beijing.
