S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken following his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Monday.
Blinken, addressing the media in the absence of Xi, emphasized that the weight of responsibly managing this critical relationship fell on the shoulders of both nations.
"The relationship between the United States and China is one of the most consequential in the world. As such, both nations have a profound obligation to responsibly manage this relationship," Blinken expressed to the assembled journalists. His visit to Beijing served as a mechanism to fortify high-level communication channels, clarify U.S. positions and intentions where disagreement persists, and probe potential areas of cooperation on shared transnational challenges. His dialogues with President Xi Jinping, Director Wang Yi, and State Councilor Qin Gang were, according to Blinken, "candid, substantive, and constructive."
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Noting his gratitude for the gracious hospitality extended by the hosts during these meetings, Blinken underscored the necessity of direct engagement and sustained senior-level communication as the most effective tool to prevent differences from escalating into conflict. He noted that his Chinese counterparts reciprocated these sentiments. "We both agree on the need to stabilize our relationship," he said.
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Despite the concerted effort to promote dialogue, Blinken didn't shy away from acknowledging the significant hurdles faced in managing this relationship. "There are many issues on which we profoundly, even vehemently disagree," he said. Yet, he assured that the United States would remain committed to pursuing the best course of action to further the interests of the American people. Drawing on historical precedents, Blinken affirmed the ability of the United States to navigate complicated, consequential relationships through diplomacy.
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In this high-stakes game of geopolitics, Blinken engaged in "robust conversation" with his Chinese counterparts about a series of pressing global issues. Among these were "Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine," "North Korea's increasingly reckless actions and rhetoric" about its nuclear program, and U.S. concerns over the "PRC's provocative actions in the Taiwan Strait as well as in the South and East China Seas."
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Responding to an inquiry about the escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait, Blinken was explicit in his caution that a crisis over Taiwan could have global ramifications. Reaffirming the United States' commitment to its One China Policy, he argued that the U.S. opposed any unilateral changes to the status quo by either side and that continued preservation of the status quo was integral to maintaining peace and stability across the Strait.
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His warning about the implications of a Taiwan crisis was stark. "Fifty percent of commercial container traffic goes through the Taiwan Strait every day. Seventy percent of semiconductors are manufactured in Taiwan. If as a result of a crisis that was taken offline, it would have dramatic consequences for virtually every country around the world," Blinken said.
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President Joe Biden, he added, firmly believed in the necessity of managing the Taiwan issue responsibly, as has been the successful modus operandi in U.S.-China relations over the past five decades.
Blinken pointed to the flourishing trade between the U.S. and China, which exceeded $700 billion over the past year, marking a historical high. He cited U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's recent testimony before Congress, in which she warned that a complete decoupling and cessation of trade and investment with China would be "disastrous." Blinken clarified that the U.S. strategy was to diversify and de-risk, which entailed investing in domestic capacities, securing supply chains, defending against harmful trade practices, and protecting critical technologies.
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The State Department released a snippet of an exchange between Blinken and President Xi before meeting in Beijing's iconic Great Hall of the People.
Speaking through a translator, the Chinese President declared, "The Chinese side has made our decision clear, and the two sides have agreed to follow through the common understandings President Biden and I had reached in Bali. The two sides have also made progress and reached agreement on some specific issues. This is very good." He stressed the importance of respect and sincerity in interactions, adding, "I hope that through this visit, Mr. Secretary, you will make more positive contributions to stabilizing China-U.S. relations."
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Blinken, in his response, conveyed President Biden's intentions for his visit to Beijing, emphasizing the responsibility both countries held in managing their relationship. "President Biden asked me to travel to Beijing because he believes that the United States and China have an obligation and responsibility to manage our relationship. The United States is committed to doing that. It's in the interest of the United States, in the interests of China, and in the interest of the world," Blinken stated.
He highlighted his constructive discussions with State Councilor Qin Gang and Director Wang Yi, acknowledging the broad range of bilateral and global issues tackled. "I appreciate this opportunity to discuss the way forward with you," the Secretary of State told President Xi, appreciating the Chinese leader's willingness to engage in dialogue.
Thus, the visit, marked by candid conversations and diplomatic exchanges, underscores the intricate dance of geopolitics between these two global powers. The U.S. Secretary of State's Beijing trip, encapsulating a broad spectrum of high-stakes issues, reflects the shared commitment of both nations to tread the fine line between competition and conflict. It's a delicate equilibrium where even the slightest misstep could ripple worldwide. However, the emphasis on responsible management of this relationship from both sides offers a cautious note of optimism amidst the discord.
The world watches closely as tensions simmer and issues such as Taiwan, trade, and global security continue to loom large. The resounding echo of Secretary Blinken's words—about the importance of the U.S.-China relationship not just for the two nations but for the world—encapsulates the global ramifications of these diplomatic maneuvers. Amidst these complexities, Blinken's visit to Beijing is a significant milestone in the ongoing U.S.-China saga, shaping the contours of international relations as we move forward.
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