NUNZIUM

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to China comes at a critical time, as tensions rise over Taiwan and near-collision incidents between Chinese and US military vessels. The primary goal of the visit is to reestablish reliable communication lines between the two superpowers, due to Beijing's military not picking up calls from the Pentagon, increasing the risk of misunderstandings.

During his visit, Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang discussed Taiwan, China's support for Russia over Ukraine, and reports of a Chinese spy facility in Cuba. Trade is seen as a promising source of stability between the US and China, but human rights organizations urge Blinken to address China's human rights record.

On June 18, 2023, Blinken and Qin held a six-hour talk in Beijing, agreeing on four sectors: maintaining high-level contacts, advancing the China-US joint working group, addressing specific issues, and expanding people-to-people and educational exchanges. This meeting aimed to manage divergences and prevent China-US relations from spiraling out of control.

This visit marks the first trip to China by a top US diplomat since 2018, with China-US relations at their lowest point in decades due to disagreements on trade, national security, and technology. The Taiwan question remains a core issue, with China urging the US to abide by the one-China principle and the three Sino-US joint communiqués.

Experts see this meeting as a "window of opportunity" to save bilateral ties from further deterioration, but the Taiwan question remains a crucial factor in the stability of China-US relations. In addition to the US-China talks, Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited Germany and France in March 2023, demonstrating China's commitment to bilateral ties with European countries and China-EU strategic ties.

During Li's visit, Germany unveiled its first-ever comprehensive national security strategy, advocating cooperation with China. France and Germany are also seeking deeper cooperation with China for a multipolar world order. The Summit for a New Global Financing Pact, hosted by France on June 22-23, will be attended by Premier Li and other global leaders.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met in Beijing on Monday, marking the first US Secretary of State visit to Beijing in five years. The meeting aimed at improving US-China ties after a dispute over a Chinese surveillance balloon. Xi emphasized the need for a stable Sino-US relationship for the future of mankind, while Blinken emphasized the need for responsible management of competition between the two countries through open channels of communication.

Although no concrete agreements have been mentioned by either side so far, both the US and China have played down expectations of a major breakthrough during Blinken's visit. However, these high-level talks are a step toward bridging the gap between the two superpowers and managing their divergences to prevent further escalation of tensions.