During his visit to China, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the need for fair treatment of American businesses, signaling the start of discussions aimed at addressing various contentious issues that could potentially strain the recently improved relationship between the two nations.
Blinken’s trip marks the latest in a series of high-level engagements between the United States and China, which have seen efforts to mitigate public tensions and improve cooperation across a range of areas, from global trade to military communications. Despite these efforts, disagreements persist regarding American companies’ operations in China, Chinese exports and manufacturing practices, and Beijing’s support for Russia in the conflict in Ukraine.
During a meeting with China’s top official in Shanghai, Chen Jining, Blinken raised concerns about China’s trade policies and economic practices that deviate from market principles. He underscored the United States’ desire for fair competition and equal opportunities for American workers and businesses operating in China.
China has rejected allegations of overcapacity in its manufacturing sector, asserting that its industries, including those producing electric vehicles and solar panels, are both competitive and innovative.
Chen, speaking through translators, highlighted the recent conversation between the leaders of both countries as contributing to the stability and healthy development of bilateral relations. He emphasized the significance of choosing between cooperation and confrontation, stressing their impact on the well-being of both nations and the future of humanity.
During his visit to Shanghai, Blinken engaged with American and Chinese students at New York University’s local campus, emphasizing the importance of intercultural interactions in fostering mutual understanding.
Support for Russia
Blinken is scheduled to travel to Beijing on Friday for discussions with his Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and potentially President Xi Jinping. However, these meetings are anticipated to be tense.
Shortly after Blinken’s arrival in Shanghai, President Joe Biden signed a rare bipartisan bill that allocates $8 billion to counter China’s military capabilities, provides substantial defense aid to Taiwan, and offers $61 billion in assistance to Ukraine. Additionally, Biden signed a separate bill linked to the aid package, which stipulates that TikTok will be banned in the U.S. if its parent company, Chinese tech firm ByteDance, fails to divest the popular short video app within the next nine months to a year.
During his discussions in China, Blinken will urge the country to prevent its companies from supporting Russia’s defense industry. Following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, concerns have arisen that Chinese firms are supplying dual-use technology that aids Russia’s military efforts, despite China refraining from directly providing arms. A senior State Department official indicated that the U.S. is prepared to take action against Chinese companies believed to be undermining U.S. and European security.
State-controlled China Daily expressed skepticism about the potential outcomes of Blinken’s discussions with Chinese officials, noting that both sides have struggled to engage constructively. The editorial emphasized that the conflict in Ukraine is not a bilateral issue between China and the U.S. and cautioned against framing it as such.
State media outlets also underscored the ongoing tensions, attributing them to Washington’s perception of China as a threat and its adherence to a zero-sum mentality. The Xinhua news agency commentary highlighted the persistence of animosity between the two countries.
