U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, seeks to keep communication open between the two world powers
U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has just concluded a high-stakes visit to China where he met with the country’s President, Xi Jinping.
The meeting took place against a backdrop of heightened tensions between the world’s two largest economies over concerns of spying, national security and military escalations over the state of Taiwan.
However, the two parties left the meeting agreeing that the world depends on a generally stable U.S.-China relationship.
Xi said that the two countries must get along to secure the future and destiny of humanity.
CNBC’s Paulina Likos said it was a positive step for the two countries.
“It shows both countries are showing their commitment to resolve their disagreements, both are looking for ways to cooperate with one another,” she said.
“This visit also shows a peaceful meeting between two global powers when there is so much tension geo-politically.”
The trip was originally meant to take place in January this year but was postponed due to concerns over the Chinese spy balloon that was shot down over the U.S. in the weeks prior.
Blinken now becomes the highest-level American official to visit China in five years.
The Biden official spoke directly to the issue of Taiwan during the trip, which has been an issue central to the rising military tensions between the two powers and in the Asia Pacific region more broadly.
“On Taiwan, I reiterated the long-standing China policy, that policy has not changed,” Blinken said during the visit.
“[The U.S. does] not support Taiwan independence, we remain opposed to any unilateral changes to the status quo by either side. We continue to expect the peaceful resolution of cross-strait differences.”
The U.S. hopes the Blinken trip will open the door to a meeting in November between President Joe Biden and Xi Jinping.
