Kicking off his visit to China with a soft approach while facing tough discussions with a strong competitor, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Thursday for Washington and Beijing to manage their differences "responsibly."
A day before his meetings with senior officials in Beijing, Blinken visited the bustling city of Shanghai, where he sampled local cuisine, watched a basketball game, and took a stroll along the famous Bund area on the west bank of the Huangpu River. During his visit, he affirmed with the city's Communist Party leader that President Joe Biden is committed to "direct and sustained" dialogue between the world's two largest economies following years of escalating tensions.
He stated, "I believe it is important to emphasize the necessity of direct engagement and talking to one another, clarifying our real differences, and seeking to understand them." He also noted that both parties have a commitment to their peoples and the world to manage the bilateral relationship responsibly.
For his part, the Communist Party Secretary of Shanghai, Chen Jining, welcomed the American guest and highlighted the importance of American companies to the city. He told his visitor, "Whether we choose cooperation or confrontation, it affects the well-being of both peoples and countries and the future of humanity."
Shanghai, the country's financial capital, is a significant starting point for ascending to power in China, having previously been the area where President Xi Jinping held responsibilities. China has not announced a date for Blinken's meeting with Xi, although they met during Blinken's previous visit in June, which was announced at the last minute.
Blinken, the first U.S. Secretary of State to visit Shanghai in 14 years, began his trip last night at a restaurant serving steamed buns, then went to a shopping center and dined with his aides at one of its restaurants, where some curious onlookers took photos. He then headed to a basketball court to watch an exciting playoff game between the Shanghai Sharks and the Zhejiang Golden Bulls, staying until its conclusion.
It is noteworthy that many disputes rage between the two countries, primarily concerning Taiwan, which Washington strongly supports, provoking Beijing's ire, in addition to Russian-Chinese relations and U.S. accusations that China is supporting Russia amid its war on Ukraine, as well as economic competition, among others.
