US Secretary of State arrives in Beijing on visit with little prospect of breakthrough

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Beijing on June 18. Photo: Reuters

The visit comes amid chilly bilateral relations and dim prospects for a breakthrough in a long list of disputes between the world's two largest economies.

According to Reuters, after postponing his visit in February due to a suspected Chinese spy balloon flying over US airspace, Mr. Blinken became the highest-ranking US government official to visit China since President Joe Biden took office in January 2021.

During his visit from June 18-19, Mr. Blinken is expected to meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi and possibly Chinese President Xi Jinping. The US Secretary of State will also seek to establish open and sustainable channels of communication to ensure that the strategic confrontation between the two countries does not spiral into conflict.

This will be a visit closely watched by the rest of the world as any escalation between the superpowers could have worldwide repercussions, affecting everything from financial markets to trade routes, global supply chains and practices.

“Both sides acknowledged that we desperately need to have high-level channels of communication,” a senior US State Department official told reporters at a refueling stop in Tokyo en route to Beijing.

“We are at a critical point in this relationship where I think reducing the risk of miscalculation, or as our Chinese friends often say, preventing a downward spiral in the relationship, is important,” the official said.

Relations between the two countries have deteriorated broadly, raising fears that they could one day clash militarily over Taiwan. They also disagree on issues ranging from trade, US efforts to curb China’s semiconductor industry and human rights, Reuters reported.

Speaking at a press conference on June 16 before departing for Beijing, Mr. Blinken said the trip has three main goals: Establishing crisis management mechanisms, promoting the interests of the US and its allies, directly discussing related concerns, and exploring potential areas of cooperation.

However, US officials have previously lowered expectations for much progress. While Mr. Blinken's main goal is "frank, direct and constructive" discussions, officials say breakthroughs on important issues are unlikely.

Still, Mr Blinken’s visit is expected to pave the way for more bilateral meetings in the coming months, possibly including visits by US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. It could also set the stage for meetings between Mr Xi and Mr Biden at multilateral summits later this year.