U.S. Secretary Blinken Opens Contentious China Talks After Visit to Shanghai

On Thursday, April 23, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken commenced his inaugural series of meetings in China with discussions alongside local government officials in Shanghai. During his time in Shanghai, Blinken engaged in conversations concerning local and regional matters with Chen Jining, the Chinese Communist Party Secretary of Shanghai. Additionally, he had plans to address students and business leaders before embarking on a train journey to Beijing for anticipated challenging dialogues with national officials, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Blinken's visit comes on the heels of President Joe Biden's authorization of a $95 billion foreign aid package, a move with several aspects likely to incite displeasure from the Chinese government. Notably, the package includes $8 billion designated to counter China’s increasing assertiveness toward Taiwan and in the South China Sea. Furthermore, it aims to compel the China-based parent company of TikTok to divest the popular social media platform. These actions have elicited strong objections from China, particularly regarding U.S. involvement with Taiwan, an island viewed by China as a separatist territory. Likewise, China vehemently opposes efforts to coerce TikTok’s divestiture.

Nonetheless, Blinken's decision to undertake this diplomatic mission, following a conversation between Presidents Biden and Xi Jinping, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's recent visit to China, and a discussion between the U.S. and Chinese defense chiefs, signals a willingness from both sides to engage in dialogue and address their disparities.

Fostering Constructive Dialogue and Mutual Obligations

Blinken emphasized the significance of direct engagement and open communication to express and address the existing differences between the two nations. He stressed the responsibility to prudently manage the relationship between the United States and China, highlighting the obligation to their respective citizens and the global community.

Chen echoed Blinken's sentiments, underscoring the positive impact of the recent conversation between Presidents Biden and Xi Jinping on the stable and healthy development of the relationship between the two countries. He emphasized the far-reaching consequences of the choice between cooperation and confrontation on the well-being of both nations and the future of humanity.

During his brief stay in Shanghai, Blinken also seized the opportunity to attend a local Chinese basketball playoff game, witnessing an intense matchup between the Shanghai Sharks and the Zhejiang Golden Bulls, culminating in a nail-biting 121-120 victory for the visiting team.