Blinken Visits Beijing Soon… Will He Achieve Progress?

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is traveling to Beijing early next week, amid low expectations for progress regarding the long list of disputes between the United States and China. However, he may achieve at least one thing with his Chinese counterparts: demonstrating that the most important bilateral relationship in the world is not on the brink of collapse, according to some analysts. National Security Advisor to President Joe Biden, Jake Sullivan, stated that “the United States does not expect any breakthroughs in relations with China during Blinken's visit, with the most significant diplomatic event being Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington next week.” Sources confirmed to Reuters that "Blinken will hold meetings in China on Sunday and Monday. He may meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, making him the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit China since President Biden took office in January 2021." For its part, the Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed today, Friday, that "China's door is always open for dialogue with the United States," indicating that "communication between the two countries has never stopped." Spokesperson Wang Wenbin stated in a press conference that "China and the United States should develop their relationship based on mutual respect and equality," responding to a question regarding statements from U.S. officials that Washington does not expect much from Secretary of State Antony Blinken's upcoming visit to China.