WASHINGTON: China’s top diplomat will pay a visit to the United States this week paving the way for a much-anticipated visit by President Xi Jinping, Western media reported on Monday.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi, will visit Washington from Thursday to Saturday in nearly five years against a backdrop of friction between the two states over trade, Ukraine, the Middle East and Taiwan.
A senior US official on condition of anonymity told media the trip was part of efforts between the world’s two largest economies to manage their competition.
Face-to-face diplomacy best way to discuss challenging issues
The official said China believes that direct face-to-face diplomacy is the best way to discuss challenging issues.
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had visited China in 2018. Blinken had interactions with the top Chinese leadership including Xi.
According to the diplomats Wang Yi will be expecting a similar meeting with President Joe Biden.
Biden, had met with Xi last November on the sidelines of Group of 20 talks in Bali. He also invited China’s leader to travel next month to San Francisco where the United States will host an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
China and US have expressed an interest in recent months in easing tensions. Earlier this month Xi, received Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to enhance bilateral ties.
China and the United States recently have sought diplomatic advantage against each other over the conflict in the Middle East.
China has criticized US support for Israel and denounced the veto of a UN Security Council resolution by the United States regarding ceasefire of the conflict.
