Antony Blinken, United States Secretary of State, landed in Shanghai this Wednesday, April 24, where he will meet with business leaders before heading to Beijing to meet with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. Relations between both powers are currently more stable than a year ago, but strong disagreements regarding Russia and Taiwan threaten to weaken the already battered bond between both powers.
Antony Blinken's diplomatic mission in China begins. Hours after the US Congress approved an aid package for Ukraine and Taiwan, the US Secretary of State must moderate growing tensions between the powers.
In Shanghai, Blinken will meet with Chinese business leaders, before traveling to the capital Beijing on Friday for talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and possibly President Xi Jinping.
China and the United States have managed to stabilize their relationsin part thanks to various visits by senior officers and the existence of collaborative working groups on international trade and military communication issues.
However, China's support for Russia in its invasion of Ukraine and the United States' support for Taiwan, an island that China perceives as an extension of its territory, are complex points. that threaten to degrade the diplomatic relationship between the two Pacific powers.
In addition to geopolitical conflicts, The United States accuses China of not doing enough to reduce production of chemicals used to make fentanyl and is prepared to take action against Chinese companies that would represent a risk to its security.
For example, the US Congress approved an ultimatum for TikTok to sell its assets before being banned in the country.
I head to Shanghai and Beijing this week for intensive face-to-face diplomacy. Our ongoing, direct engagement is vital for making progress on issues that matter most to the American people and the world. pic.twitter.com/VyWOxPhJpk
—Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) April 24, 2024
Analysts believe that it is unlikely that Blinken's visit will imply great progress in resolving these disagreements, but that it will allow “opening lines of communication to prevent uncomfortable scenarios,” Alfren Wu, associate professor at the Lee Juan Yew School of Politics, told Reuters. Singapore Public.
For his part, a Chinese Foreign Ministry official said Tuesday that Relations between both countries “show that the decline has stopped,” but criticized (Washington's) “stubborn strategy of containing China, and its erroneous words and actions to interfere in China's internal affairs, tarnishing the country's image and undermining Chinese interests.”
China's support for Russia, in the US's sights
The Russian defense industrial base is currently maintained by supplies from Chinese companies. That is one of the points to be discussed on Blinken's agenda, who will try to apply pressure to stop Chinese support for Moscow, which began the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
“If China intends on the one hand to have good relations with Europe and other countries, it cannot on the other hand fuel the greatest threat to European security since the end of the Cold War,” Blinken said last week.
China does not send weapons to Russia, but days before the start of the war it had signed a “limitless” collaboration with Moscow and US officials warn that Chinese companies send technology that allows the Russian war effort to be sustained, which is then not affected by European sanctions.
The United States has even considered imposing sanctions on Chinese banks, but government sources told Reuters that is not currently in the plans. Such sanctions are considered the “nuclear” option in an economic war between China and the United States.
From the Chinese point of view, The country defends its right to trade with Russia and accuses the United States of adding fuel to the fire by providing weapons and funds to Ukraine.
“It is extremely hypocritical and irresponsible for the United States to approve an aid package to Ukraine while making unfounded accusations about normal economic and trade exchanges between China and Russia,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Tuesday.
Irreconcilable positions on Taiwan
The US Congress approved the delivery of $8 billion to Taiwan to defend itself against threats of Chinese aggression.
Even before Blinken arrived in Shanghai, China's Taiwan Affairs office strongly criticized the US decision, alleging that it “seriously violated” the country's commitments to China and that it “sent the wrong message to pro-independence separatist forces in Taiwan.” Taiwan”, pushing the island into a “dangerous situation”.
A U.S. State Department official said Friday that both sides should “avoid provocative actions that could increase tensions, and demonstrate restraint” ahead of the inauguration of Taiwan's new president, Lai Ching, in a month. te, who like her predecessor also opposes Chinese claims to the territory.
The United States has strongly criticized Chinese military exercises that would seek to intimidate Taiwan, despite the continental power's anger. The State Department official highlighted that Blinken “will emphasize, both publicly and privately, the United States' continued interest in maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. “We believe it is of vital importance for the region and the world.”
China rejects accusations of “excess industrial capacity”
The United States accused China of overproducing in the new energy sector, exceeding Chinese domestic demand and disturbing the global market, since Chinese “overcapacity” produces more than it “can support,” according to Janet Yellen, secretary of the US Treasury.
Beijing responded to the accusations on Wednesday morning, before Blinken arrived.
Wenbin expressed its “firm opposition” and noted that criticism of its “excess industrial capacity lacks solid foundation.” The spokesperson defended that Chinese production in the energy sector is “necessary” to “promote advanced green development.”
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“What the world needs is not for China to reduce its production, but more resources and products to accelerate the energy transition and combat poverty,” Wenbin declared, in addition to warning that stopping the export of Chinese electric vehicles, for example, “only “It will lead to a lose-lose scenario for all parties involved.”
Despite tensions, China and the United States could cooperate in the face of the crisis in the Middle East
After the alleged Israeli attack on the Iranian consular office in Syria earlier this month, Blinken spoke with his counterpart Wang “to make clear that escalation is not in anyone's interests, and that countries should urgently ask Iran not to escalate” its attacks, a State Department spokesperson said April 11.
For Wang Huiyao, president of the Beijing-based think tank Center for China and Globalization, this contact demonstrates potential collaboration between China and the United States.
Iran “sells all its oil to China,” Wang Huiyao explained.
So if China tells them that they have to stop, then they will have to seriously consider it.
The expert detailed.
Beyond Blinken's visit, Jake Sullivan, Joe Biden's National Security Advisor, maintains regular conversations with the Chinese Foreign Minister to responsibly manage the competition between both powers, as presented by the US Administration.
With AP, EFE and Reuters
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