WASHINGTON: Against the backdrop of two active and potentially world-changing conflicts unfolding in the Middle East and Europe, the United States is seeking to identify common ground with China as China’s top diplomat embarks on a visit to Washington this week.
Over the course of three days, commencing on Thursday, senior officials from the Biden administration, possibly including the President himself, will emphasize to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi the significance of China assuming a more prominent role on the global stage if it aspires to be recognized as a responsible and influential international player.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and President Biden’s national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, are both expected to urge China to play a constructive role in both the Israel-Hamas and Russia-Ukraine conflicts. These discussions may pave the way for a summit between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, scheduled for next month on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum leaders gathering in San Francisco.
In recent times, the relationship between the United States and China has been marked by disappointment and tension on various fronts. These two global powerhouses, often at odds over critical issues, have been navigating a complex diplomatic terrain in an effort to find common ground. The disappointment began with China’s support for Russia in the conflict with Ukraine and its relatively subdued stance on the Middle East. Beyond these, the world’s two largest economies have locked horns on matters of human rights, climate change, Taiwan, the South China Sea, and North Korea.
However, amidst these differences, both nations have expressed their willingness to engage in dialogue. This willingness was put to the test when U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken canceled a planned visit to China in February, following the shootdown of a Chinese spy balloon over U.S. airspace—a low point in recent bilateral relations.
In the months following this crisis, efforts were made to rebuild the diplomatic bridge. Secretary Blinken rescheduled his visit and traveled to China in June, setting a positive tone for future engagements. He was soon followed by other key U.S. officials, including Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, climate envoy John Kerry, and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, all of whom visited China, reflecting a shared desire to explore opportunities for cooperation.
Diplomacy continued to thaw as National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Malta in mid-September. This paved the way for discussions between Secretary Blinken and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng later in the same month on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York. Their conversation, held during a time when tensions on various issues loomed large, was seen as a crucial step in finding common ground.
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Most recently, Secretary Blinken engaged with Wang Yi in discussions regarding the Israel-Hamas crisis, highlighting the urgency of addressing pressing global matters. This string of high-level meetings and exchanges underscores the shared belief that dialogue is essential for managing differences and seeking cooperation where possible.
U.S. officials are clear about their goal in these engagements: to set the stage for another summit between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Such a summit would provide an opportunity for the two leaders to explore avenues for cooperation and, at the very least, reduce outright hostility on the most pressing matters of the day.
While the road ahead may be challenging, the ongoing diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and China reflect a commitment to find common ground in an increasingly complex world. As global challenges continue to mount, a constructive dialogue between these two major powers remains essential for addressing shared concerns and fostering stability on the international stage.
Wang Yi’s visit represents a critical step in laying the groundwork for the forthcoming Biden-Xi meeting, stated Ryan Hass, the Director of the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institute, a Washington-based think tank. “Wang’s meetings in Washington will help shape the agenda for the discussions between the two leaders scheduled for November.
This visit opens up the possibility of the world’s two most influential nations working together to prevent the escalation of violence in regions like Ukraine and the Middle East, he added.
Yun Sun, Director of the China Program at the Stimson Center, another prominent think tank in Washington, emphasized that Wang’s trip is a strong indicator of the imminent Xi-Biden summit.
Wang’s presence here is primarily to lay the groundwork for Xi’s upcoming trip to San Francisco. This trip is all about negotiations, discussing solutions, and finalizing the details, Sun explained. With the APEC summit just 20 days away, time is of the essence. Wang’s visit signifies Xi’s arrival, and Xi’s arrival means a meeting with Biden. The Xi-Biden summit is crucial for stabilizing bilateral relations.
Scott Kennedy, Senior Adviser and Trustee Chair in Chinese business and economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington pointed out that Wang’s visit could yield various outcomes, including the potential for increased direct flights between the two countries, expanded visa provisions for journalists, and potential agreements on climate change and the resumption of high-level military dialogues.
