Blinken Emphasizes Commitment to Direct and Open Dialogue with China

Blinken returned to China without certainty that President Xi Jinping would receive him.

AP/POOL/MARK SCHIEFELBEIN

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) toured Shanghai, China, on Wednesday (24/4/2024).

SHANGHAI, THURSDAY — United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits China. The goal is to demonstrate Washington's commitment to ongoing dialogue with Beijing. Unfortunately, he is considered busy lecturing China.

Blinken arrived in Shanghai on Wednesday (24/4/2024). On Thursday (25/4/2024), he met with Communist Party figures in Shanghai. The meeting was arranged to be relaxed.

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Some of Blinken's agenda in Shanghai were also informally arranged. Among other things, he toured parts of Shanghai without wearing a tie. He had lunch at a restaurant without a special room or special escort. As a result, other guests could see him.

Blinken took the time to visit New York University (NYU) in Shanghai. Speaking to the academic community, he assured that Chinese students are welcomed in the US.

AP/POOL/MARK SCHIEFELBEIN

United States Minister of Foreign Affairs Antony Blinken (center) dines with a number of US diplomats in Shanghai, China, on Wednesday (24/4/2024).

The statement was made to emphasize to the Chinese public that immigration to the US is not looking for faults amongst Chinese students who wish to study in the US. He also said that more US students should study in China.

Blinken concluded his activities in Shanghai by watching a basketball game between the Shanghai Sharks and Zhejiang Golden Bulls. He was accompanied by US diplomats in China.

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From Shanghai, he is scheduled to go to Beijing. So far, only Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is confirmed to receive Blinken in Beijing. While the meeting with President Xi Jinping is still uncertain. "US President Joe Biden is committed to implementing the promise to maintain direct, open, and continuous communication with China," said Blinken.

He stated that Beijing and Washington should find ways to be honest about all their differences. Furthermore, the US-China needs to manage these differences well. These differences should be discussed in good faith to avoid misunderstanding.

In a meeting with Wang, Blinken will discuss various issues, including Russia and Taiwan. The US appreciates that China did not send any weapons to Russia during the invasion of Ukraine.

However, it has recently been revealed that Beijing is exporting various industrial equipment, including semiconductors, to Russia. The US suspects that the equipment is being used by Russia to produce weapons.

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Regarding Taiwan, Washington has just approved an 8 billion US dollar assistance package for Taipei. Taiwan plans to use the funds to enhance their defense in the Taiwan Strait or in the South China Sea. According to Taiwan, ships and aircraft from the People's Liberation Army of China often trespass into Taiwan's waters.

Beijing views that Washington always heats up Taiwan to break away from China. However, the US actually has diplomatic relations with China, not Taiwan.

AP/POOL/MARK SCHIEFELBEIN

Without a red carpet reception, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (fourth from right) arrived in Shanghai, China on Wednesday (24/4/2024).

These accusations are continually denied by the US. Washington says that they only want to ensure that Taiwan can be safe and free in practicing democracy.

Trading behavior

Blinken also voiced concerns from the US regarding China's behavior in the global trade arena. According to him - similar to what US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen expressed - there is a flood of cheap products from China in the US market.

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This kills competition with American products or other countries. "We ask that American companies or workers in China be given the same opportunity as local companies," he said.

He is pushing for a fair competition between the two countries in accordance with the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO). China is urged to avoid unfair practices such as stealing technology from foreign companies or using cheap labor taken from forced labor camps.

AP/POOL/MARK SCHIEFELBEIN

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken (right) watches a basketball match in Shanghai, China, on Wednesday (24/4/2024).

Blinken's statement was responded to by Shanghai NPC Secretary Chen Jining. "China and the US have a responsibility to the world community. Our choice to cooperate or confront directly impacts global well-being and the future of humanity," he said.

Even so, observers of international politics in China are of the opinion that the US arrival this time remains the same as before. Li Haidong from China University of International Relations saw Blinken's words as a US ultimatum to China. "The US should also come to China with good intentions and not just giving orders," he told the Global Times. (AP/AFP/Reuters)