US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken's visit to China from June 18 to 19 is not only aimed at de-escalating tensions in US-China relations.
During the two-day trip, the US Secretary of State is expected to meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Wang Yi, and likely President Xi Jinping, to seek to establish open and sustainable channels of communication to ensure that the strategic competition between the two countries does not turn into conflict.
Secretary of State Blinken leaves the plane at the airport in Beijing on the morning of June 18. Photo: AFP
The two governments hope that Mr. Blinken’s visit will also pave the way for more bilateral meetings in the coming months, including possible trips to China by US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, as well as setting the stage for meetings between President Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden at multilateral summits later this year.
Speaking at a press conference on June 16 before departing for Beijing, Mr. Blinken said his trip had three main goals: Establishing a crisis management mechanism, promoting the interests of the United States and its allies on related concerns, and exploring potential areas of cooperation.
Among the topics likely to be discussed is the possibility of increasing commercial flights between the two countries, a US official also said, describing it as a move to help foster people-to-people ties.
However, US officials have downplayed expectations for much progress. While the US secretary of state's main goal will be "frank, direct and constructive" discussions, officials said breakthroughs on any major issues are unlikely.
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