Secretary of State Blinken, Xi Jinping meet in Beijing, ‘agree’ on need to stabilize U.S.-China relations

Secretary of State Antony Blinken met for 35 minutes Monday with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, saying afterward the countries “agree on the need to stabilize” their strained relationship.

On the highest level American diplomatic pilgrimage trip to China since 2018, Blinken described making progress through the consequential meeting at the Great Hall of the People.

“I came to Beijing to strengthen high level channels of communication, to make clear our positions and intentions in areas of disagreement, and to explore areas where we might work together when our interests align on transnational challenges, and we did all of that,” Blinken said at a news conference.

But both sides acknowledged there is plenty of work to be done.

In a setback, China declined the U.S. push to install military-to-military communications, which Blinken said he brought up “repeatedly.”

“It is absolutely vital that we have these kinds of communications,” Blinken said. “This is something we’re going to keep working on.”

The session came amid tensions involving trade, human rights, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, U.S. support for Taiwan, and the U.S. shooting down a Chinese spy balloon in February.

The U.S. “would welcome China playing a constructive role” in resolving the Russian conflict with Ukraine, Blinken said. The diplomat said he also expressed concerns over China’s “provocative actions in the Taiwan Strait” and in the South China Sea.

Blinken stressed that the U.S. does not support the independence of Taiwan.

“We remain opposed to any unilateral changes to the status quo by either side,” Blinken said.

Blinken and Xi shook hands and posed for photos during the meeting, which Xi hailed as a success. Xi and President Biden previously met in Bali last November.

“The two sides have also made progress and reached agreement on some specific issues,” Xi said, according to a State Department transcript. “This is very good.”

“I hope that through this visit, Mr. Secretary, you will make more positive contributions to stabilizing China-U.S. relations,” Xi added.

Blinken also met with Wang Yi, China’s top diplomat. Biden, who often boasts of his constructive personal relationship with Xi, says he hopes to meet again soon face to face with the Chinese leader.

Blinken’s visit has roused some criticism among conservative Republicans, who called it a needless concession when a firmer approach is needed after a string of provocative Chinese actions.

Several Republican lawmakers blasted Blinken for openly stating that the U.S. does not support an independent Taiwan, even though that’s been official policy for decades.

GOP presidential candidates also hope to take advantage of American voters’ anger at China.

“Biden’s weakness on Communist China is not just embarrassing — it’s dangerous,” tweeted Nikki Haley, the former UN ambassador who is promising a tougher stance on Beijing.

Blinken pushed back against the notion that America should take a hard line against Beijing because of widespread anti-China political sentiment as the U.S. nears the 2024 presidential campaign season.

“It would be irresponsible” to not engage with China, Blinken said in an interview with National Public Radio, adding that limiting ties would be “counterproductive to our interests.”

With News Wire Services