US-China relations: Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit confirmed after phone call with China’s Qin Gang
- The US secretary of state will discuss the importance of keeping open lines of communication and discuss potential areas of cooperation, Washington says
- In earlier conversation, Foreign Minister Qin Gang urged US to ‘show respect’ and stop undermining China’s interests
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Beijing on Sunday and Monday, the two sides have confirmed, a move that could put bilateral relations on better footing after months of acrimony.
While in Beijing, Blinken will meet senior officials to discuss the importance of maintaining open lines of communication to responsibly manage the relationship, the State Department said. He will also raise bilateral issues of concern, global and regional matters, and potential cooperation on shared transnational challenges, according to spokesman Matthew Miller.
It will be the latest high-level exchange between the two sides in recent weeks amid a US push for reengagement, and a moment that one analyst said offered a chance to bring “a modicum of predictability” to the relationship.
Blinken cancelled a planned visit to China in February after an alleged Chinese spy balloon was shot down over US airspace.
The Chinese foreign ministry also confirmed the visit would go ahead, hours after a phone call on Wednesday between Blinken and Qin Gang, who told Washington’s top envoy that the US should “show respect” and stop undermining China’s sovereignty, security and development interests.
