Antony Blinken is the first US Secretary of State to visit Shanghai in 14 years. His goal is to resolve a series of contentious issues that could jeopardize the recently repaired relationship. Just as he landed, US President Joe Biden was signing a bill that included $8 billion to counter China's military power, as well as billions in defense aid to Taiwan.
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During his visit to China's financial capital on Thursday, April 25, Antony Blinken affirmed that Joe Biden is committed to a “direct and sustained” dialogue between the world's two largest economies, after years of growing tensions, he said:
I think it is important to emphasize the value – indeed, the necessity – of direct engagement, of talking to each other, laying out our differences, which are real, and trying to resolve them.
The US Secretary of State noted that “we have an obligation to our people and, indeed, an obligation to the world to manage the relationship between our two countries responsibly.”
Blinken praised Shanghai's evolution as an “economic and commercial hub,” while calling for China to offer a level playing field to American companies operating in the Asian country.
Another tension that is growing has to do with Beijing's support for Russia in its war in Ukraine. Experts predict that Blinken will pressure China to prevent its companies from retooling and replenishing the Russian defense industrial base.
Moscow invaded Ukraine days after agreeing a “no-holds-barred” partnership with China, which has stayed out of arms supplies, but U.S. officials warn that Chinese companies are sending dual-use technology that helps Russia's war effort.
China spoke of its relations for the “future of humanity”
Chinese Communist Party Secretary in Shanghai Chen Jining welcomed Blinken partly in English and spoke of the importance of American companies to the city, saying:
Whether we choose cooperation or confrontation affects the well-being of both peoples, both countries and the future of humanity.
In words to the media present at the beginning of the meeting, Chen highlighted the importance of cooperation between both countries for the “well-being of both peoples” and the “future of humanity.”
In addition, he stressed that “the relationship has not always been fluid, there have been ups and downs, but in general, it has progressed with historical development and has moved forward,” the US State Department said in a statement.
Friday, key point of your visit
Blinken opened his trip Wednesday night at a restaurant serving steamed buns and watched a playoff game between the Shanghai Sharks and the Zhejiang Golden Bulls.
The official visit to the Asian country will extend until Friday when Blinken will travel to Beijing to meet with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Wang Yi. For now there are no plans for him to meet with Xi Jinping, although on his last visit in June they met in a meeting announced at the last minute.
With EFE, Reuters and AFP
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