The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Chinese mainland announced that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit China from April 24 to 26, following an invitation from Minister Wang Yi. This visit marks a significant step in stabilizing China-U.S. relations after the historic meeting between President Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden in San Francisco last November.
According to a senior official from the Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs, Secretary Blinken’s visit aims to implement the common understandings reached by the two presidents, maintain dialogue, manage differences, advance cooperation, and strengthen coordination on international affairs. This initiative builds on the positive momentum established by recent high-level interactions, including President Xi's meetings with U.S. business and academic leaders and the exchange of congratulatory letters celebrating 45 years of diplomatic relations.
Despite these efforts, tensions remain as the United States continues its strategy perceived as containing China, alongside actions that China views as interference in its internal affairs. Responding to these challenges, China emphasizes its commitment to mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation. The Chinese mainland has outlined three overarching principles for China-U.S. relations in 2024: valuing peace, prioritizing stability, and upholding credibility.
For Secretary Blinken's visit, China has set five key goals:
- Establishing the Right Perception: China insists that major-country competition should not lead to a new Cold War. Instead, both nations should work towards stable, sound, and sustainable relations, honoring mutual commitments and avoiding actions that could escalate tensions.
- Strengthening Dialogue: Building on the San Francisco summit, China seeks to enhance communication across various fields, including foreign affairs, security, economy, and climate change. China urges the U.S. to engage sincerely without undermining the relationship.
- Effectively Managing Disagreements: While acknowledging existing differences, China aims to prevent these issues from dominating the bilateral relationship. Key areas of contention include Taiwan, economic policies, and regional security in the South China Sea.
- Promoting Mutually Beneficial Cooperation: China highlights progress in areas like counternarcotics, science and technology, and climate change. Initiatives such as increased direct flights and cultural exchanges demonstrate shared interests and the potential for enhanced collaboration.
- Fulfilling Responsibilities as Major Countries: As permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, both China and the U.S. are expected to uphold international peace and security. China encourages the U.S. to engage constructively on global issues like the Middle East and Ukraine, advocating for peaceful resolutions.
Amid these discussions, China has addressed concerns over U.S. actions perceived as economic coercion and interference in its internal affairs, particularly regarding Taiwan and human rights issues. The Chinese mainland remains steadfast in safeguarding its sovereignty and development interests while seeking a balanced and cooperative relationship with the United States.
As Secretary Blinken prepares for his visit, the focus remains on turning shared visions into reality through concrete actions, fostering an environment of mutual respect and collaboration, and addressing global challenges together.
Reference(s):
Chinese MOFA briefs on U.S. secretary of state's upcoming China visit
cgtn.com
