NEW YORK: In the latest round of high-level diplomatic exchanges between the United States and China, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to meet with China’s Vice President Han Zheng on Monday. This dialogue between the two nations takes place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The US State Department announced this meeting on its public schedule, emphasizing the importance of maintaining open channels of communication between the rival powers.
As the United States closely monitors developments in Beijing, including significant personnel changes, this meeting holds added significance. The recent appointment of Qin Gang as foreign minister by President Xi Jinping, followed by his abrupt replacement with seasoned policymaker Wang Yi in July, has drawn attention from US officials.
Initially, there were expectations that Wang Yi, who also serves as the Communist Party’s foreign policy director, would attend the annual UN meeting, possibly engaging in brief discussions with President Joe Biden. However, China later announced that Vice President Han Zheng would represent the nation at the event.
Communications Between US and China
Over the weekend, Wang Yi held discussions with Jake Sullivan, President Biden’s national security advisor, in Malta.
The United States remains committed to fostering productive dialogue with China, recognizing the need to address and manage the frequent tensions that arise between the world’s two largest economies. This commitment is reflected in the recent interactions between senior officials from both nations.
In 2023, both US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen have made visits to Beijing, renewing contact that had largely diminished during the COVID-19 pandemic. These engagements aim to facilitate constructive discussions and cooperation on a range of critical global issues.
