U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken initiated his first day in Shanghai with local government officials, discussing regional issues with Chinese Communist Party Secretary Chen Jining. His itinerary includes engaging with students and business leaders before departing for Beijing for talks with Foreign Minister Wang Yi amidst tensions stemming from China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea and the Biden administration’s foreign assistance to Taiwan. Despite these tensions, Blinken emphasized the necessity of direct engagement between the two nations, and Chen expressed hope that Blinken’s visit would foster mutual understanding.