In their meeting, Wang emphasized that China’s development rights and core interests should be respected. He called for mutual respect and urged the United States to avoid suppressing China’s legitimate growth ambitions. Blinken, while acknowledging areas of difference, highlighted the importance of responsible management of the relationship and avoiding misunderstandings. He also commended recent progress in addressing the fentanyl crisis. Despite the tough rhetoric from Wang, US officials believe that China remains focused on stabilizing its economy and seeks to minimize conflicts with the West in the short term. President Xi Jinping, in his meeting with Blinken, called for common ground and progress in talks. Biden faces a challenging re-election campaign this November, with China emerging as a key issue. While he has pursued both cooperation and pressure with China, his administration has taken a tougher stance on certain fronts than the previous Trump administration. Blinken’s visit comes ahead of the upcoming presidential inauguration in Taiwan and tensions between Iran and Israel. The US has expressed concerns about China’s support for Russia and its potential role in mediating the conflicts in both regions.
China’s Foreign Minister Warns of ‘Downward Spiral’ amid US Concerns
