BEIJING: Ahead of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Beijing, tensions rise as China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang urged the United States (US) to refrain from interfering in its internal affairs and compromising its security.
During a phone call with his US counterpart on Wednesday, Qin emphasized the importance of the US respecting China’s core concerns, particularly regarding the Taiwan issue, in an attempt to address the deteriorating relationship between the two superpowers. The call served as a tense preview of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s upcoming visit to Beijing.
In response, Antony Blinken stressed the need for open communication “to avoid miscalculation and conflict” and assured that the US would continue to raise areas of concern and explore potential areas of cooperation with China, as stated by the US State Department in a brief summary of the call.
The US Secretary of State is scheduled to embark on a trip to China and Britain from June 16 to June 21, as announced by the State Department. Chinese state media reported that Blinken’s visit to China was scheduled for June 18-19. During his visit, Blinken plans to engage in discussions with senior Chinese officials on bilateral concerns, global and regional issues, as well as shared transnational challenges, the State Department stated in a press release.
Strain US-China Relations
If the trip proceeds as planned, it will mark the first visit to China by a top US diplomat in five years and the highest-profile visit of the Biden administration, which has experienced contentious exchanges with Beijing on various matters, including allegations of espionage and competition in the semiconductor industry.
Earlier in February, the Secretary of State canceled a trip to Beijing due to a suspected Chinese spy balloon flying over the United States. The Chinese foreign ministry has not disclosed additional details regarding Blinken’s upcoming visit. Furthermore, tensions have escalated between the two nations due to visits by US officials to Taiwan, a democratic island that China considers an integral part of its territory.
Qin conveyed to Antony Blinken during the call, as stated in the Chinese foreign ministry’s readout, that Sino-US relations have faced new difficulties and challenges this year, with clear responsibility lying on the US. He urged the United States to “stop interfering in China’s internal affairs and stop harming China’s sovereignty, security, and development interests under the guise of competition.”
