Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently embarked on a diplomatic trip to China, armed with a strengthened diplomatic hand following Senate approval of a foreign aid package. This critical trip comes amidst a complex relationship between the United States and China, strained by disagreements over global and regional issues.
Of primary interest to China, the bill sets aside $8 billion to counter Chinese threats in Taiwan and the broader Indo-Pacific region. The bill also gives China’s ByteDance nine months to sell TikTok, with a possible three-month extension if a sale is in progress. China has condemned the move as a dangerous provocation and strongly opposes efforts to force TikTok’s sale.
The passage of the bill further complicates the relationship between the two countries, which has been marked by disagreements over numerous global and regional disputes. However, Blinken’s trip, shortly after a conversation between President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, signals both sides’ willingness to discuss their differences.
Blinken’s agenda includes discussions on Taiwan, the South China Sea, Ukraine, the Middle East, human rights, and the supply of precursors to make the synthetic opioid fentanyl. The trip highlights the critical issues that shape the US-China relationship and the need for diplomacy to navigate the complex challenges between the two countries.
US officials have expressed concerns over China’s support for Russia’s military-industrial sector, which has allowed Moscow to subvert Western sanctions and ramp up attacks on Ukraine. The Biden administration has also appealed to China to use its leverage with Iran to prevent the conflict in Gaza from escalating into a wider regional conflict.
Despite the complexities and tensions, Blinken’s trip is a sign of the US and China’s willingness to engage in dialogue and address their differences through diplomatic channels. His meetings with Chinese officials in Shanghai and Beijing will provide insights into the current state of US-China relations and the potential for cooperation and collaboration on issues of mutual concern.
