China’s leading diplomat is in discussions with senior U.S. authorities, potentially even President Joe Biden, during a closely monitored trip to Washington. This visit might pave the way for a summit between Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, aiming to bolster U.S.-China relations. On Thursday afternoon, shortly after his arrival for the three-day stay, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, sparking optimism for a more stable bilateral relationship.
Quick Read
- Wang Yi’s Visit to Washington:
- China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, visits Washington for three days.
- High expectations that the visit will help stabilize U.S.-China ties.
- Potential facilitation of a summit between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
- Meeting with U.S. Officials:
- Wang met Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday.
- Wang emphasized seeking consensus and cooperation to stabilize U.S.-China relations.
- U.S. officials urged China to play a more active role globally, especially regarding Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts.
- State Department’s readout mentioned discussions on “areas of difference” and “areas of cooperation.”
- China’s Foreign Ministry described the meeting as having a “constructive atmosphere.”
- Expectations from Further Meetings:
- Wang is set to meet Blinken again and national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Friday.
- Both sides expected to discuss China’s potential role in the Israel-Hamas and Russia-Ukraine situations.
- Uncertainty remains about a potential meeting between Wang and President Biden.
- Potential Biden-Xi Summit:
- No confirmation of a meeting between Biden and Xi during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders gathering in San Francisco.
- Analysts believe Wang’s trip indicates a high likelihood of the summit.
- Historical Context:
- The last U.S. visit by the Chinese president was in 2017, hosted by former President Donald Trump.
- Biden and Xi last met in November 2022 in Bali, Indonesia.
- U.S.-China relations have been strained since 2018 due to various issues, including tariffs, rights abuses, territorial disputes, technology, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Associated Press has the story:
China’s FM in Washington to help stabilize ties, perhaps set up a Biden-Xi summit
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP)
China’s top diplomat is meeting high-level U.S. officials, possibly including President Joe Biden, on a highly watched visit to Washington that could help stabilize U.S.-China ties by facilitating a summit between Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Wang Yi, the Chinese foreign minister, met Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday afternoon, shortly after he landed for the three-day visit and quickly raised hopes that the relationship can be steadied.
Before going into their closed-door meeting, Wang said China would seek consensus and cooperation to “push the relationship as soon as possible back to the track of healthy, stable and sustainable development.”
Before the meeting, U.S. officials said they would press Wang on the importance of China stepping up its role on the world stage if it wants to be considered a responsible major international player. The U.S. has been disappointed with China over its support for Russia in the war against Ukraine and its relative silence on the Israel-Hamas war.
“China should use whatever ability it has as an influential power to urge calm” in the Middle East, said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller. “We know China has relationships with a number of countries in the region, and we would urge them to use those relationships, the lines of communication they have, to urge calm and stability.”
U.S. officials believe the Chinese have considerable leverage with Iran, which is a major backer of Hamas.
In a readout after the meeting, the State Department said the two men addressed “areas of difference” and “areas of cooperation,” while Blinken “reiterated that the United States will continue to stand up for our interests and values and those of our allies and partners.”
China’s Foreign Ministry said, “The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on China-U.S. relations and issues of common concern in a constructive atmosphere.”
Wang is scheduled to meet again Friday with Blinken as well as national security adviser Jake Sullivan. They are expected to urge China to play a constructive role in both the Israel-Hamas and Russia-Ukraine wars.
It’s not yet clear if Wang will meet with Biden. The diplomatic practice of reciprocity suggests it is likely, since Blinken met with Xi when he visited China in June.
Neither side has confirmed whether Biden and Xi will meet next month on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders gathering in San Francisco. But Wang’s trip indicates the likelihood is extremely high, said Scott Kennedy, senior adviser and trustee chair in Chinese business and economics at the Washington-based think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies.
“His visit is most likely about nailing down the agenda and negotiating potential deliverables,” Kennedy said.
The Chinese president last came to the U.S. in 2017, when former President Donald Trump hosted him at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Biden, who took office in 2021, has yet to host Xi on U.S. soil. The two men last met in Bali, Indonesia, in November 2022, on the sidelines of the Group of 20 meeting of leading rich and developing nations.
The U.S.-China relationship began to sour in 2018 when the Trump administration slapped hefty tariffs on $50 billion worth of Chinese goods. It deteriorated further over a range of issues, including rights abuses, the South China Sea, Taiwan, technology and the COVID-19 pandemic.
