Blinken lands in China on rare trip with hopes low for any breakthrough By Reuters

By Humeyra Pamuk

BEIJING (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Beijing on Sunday, the primary high American diplomat to go to China in 5 years, amid frosty bilateral ties and dim prospects for any breakthrough on the lengthy checklist of disputes between the world’s two largest economies.

Having postponed a February journey after a suspected Chinese language spy balloon flew over U.S. airspace, Blinken is the highest-ranking U.S. authorities official to go to China since President Joe Biden took workplace in January 2021.

Throughout his keep by means of Monday, he’s anticipated to satisfy with Overseas Minister Qin Gang, China’s high diplomat Wang Yi and presumably President Xi Jinping, looking for to ascertain open and sturdy communication channels to make sure the strategic rivalry between the 2 international locations doesn’t spiral into battle.

There may be an expectation Blinken’s go to will pave the way in which for extra bilateral conferences in coming months, together with doable journeys by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. It may additionally set the stage for conferences between Xi and Biden at multilateral summits later within the yr.

Biden stated on Saturday he hopes to satisfy with President Xi within the subsequent a number of months.

A November assembly of the 2 leaders on the Indonesian island of Bali briefly eased fears of a brand new Chilly Struggle, however following the flight of the alleged Chinese language spy balloon over the USA, high-level communication has been uncommon.

The remainder of the world will carefully observe Blinken’s journey as any escalation between superpowers may have worldwide repercussions on every thing from monetary markets to commerce routes and practices and international provide chains.

“There is a recognition on either side that we do have to have senior-level channels of communication,” a senior State Division official instructed reporters throughout a refuelling cease in Tokyo en path to Beijing.

“That we’re at an vital level within the relationship the place I believe lowering the danger of miscalculation, or as our Chinese language associates typically say, stopping the downward spiral within the relationship, is one thing that is vital,” the official stated.

Ties between the international locations have deteriorated throughout the board, elevating issues that they may at some point conflict militarily over the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which China claims as its personal. They’re additionally at odds over points starting from commerce, U.S. efforts to carry again China’s semiconductor trade and Beijing’s human rights monitor document.

Significantly alarming for China’s neighbours has been its reluctance to interact in common military-to-military talks with Washington, regardless of repeated U.S. makes an attempt.

Talking at a press convention on Friday earlier than departing for Beijing, Blinken stated his journey had three important goals: Establishing mechanisms for disaster administration, advancing U.S. and allies’ pursuits and talking immediately about associated issues, and exploring areas of potential cooperation.

“If we need to be certain, as we do, that the competitors that we’ve with China would not veer into battle, the place you begin is with speaking,” Blinken stated. He stated he would even be elevating the problem of U.S. residents detained in China on expenses Washington says are politically motivated.

Amongst matters more likely to be mentioned are doubtlessly rising business flights between the 2 international locations, a U.S. official stated, describing it as a transfer that may assist promote folks to folks ties, though the official didn’t predict any progress.

Nonetheless, U.S. officers in a briefing name previewing the journey earlier within the week performed down any expectations of a lot progress. Whereas Blinken’s important aim can be “candid, direct and constructive” discussions, the officers stated, breakthroughs are usually not possible on any main points, together with the circulation of fentanyl precursors and People detained in China.

Looking for China’s cooperation on stemming the circulation of fentanyl precursors was a key merchandise on the agenda, the U.S. official stated. The Chinese language facet has been reluctant to cooperate on the problem, U.S. officers have stated.