On Thursday, July 13, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, in the latest development in ongoing US-China talks. The meeting took place in Indonesia during the meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which was attended by representatives of both countries. The meeting follows Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s recent trip to China and is seen as part of efforts to set the stage for a possible summit between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year.
Â
Wang Yi Represents China at ASEAN Meetings, Qin Gang absent for Health Reasons
Chinese diplomat Wang Yi represented China at the ASEAN meetings in Jakarta, Indonesia. The meetings involved the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and partner countries. This comes as China announced that Foreign Minister Qin Gang would not be attending due to health reasons. Wang’s presence signifies China’s commitment to engaging with ASEAN members and other participating countries.
Â
Blinken’s Previous Visit Aims for Stability amid Intense Rivalry
Last month, Secretary of State Antony Blinken made history by becoming the first U.S. secretary of state to visit China in five years. During his visit, Blinken met with both Foreign Minister Qin Gang and top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi. The purpose of the visit was to foster stability amidst the intense rivalry between the United States and China, which are not only the world’s two largest economies but also major global powers.
Diplomatic Interactions Continue Amid Tensions and Criticism
The engagement between the United States and China extends beyond high-level meetings. Recently, China’s ambassador to the United States held a rare meeting at the Pentagon with the top U.S. defense official for Asia. The talks focused on military communications and followed U.S. criticism of China’s reluctance to engage in such exchanges. While these interactions are seen as steps toward a potential summit between the U.S. and Chinese presidents, tensions remain high.
As U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Chinese diplomat Wang Yi during the ASEAN meetings in Indonesia, diplomatic efforts between the two superpowers persist. The engagements aimed to address the rivalry and establish a stable relationship. However, challenges remain, as exemplified by recent tensions, criticism, and disagreements surrounding China’s regional ambitions. The outcome of these interactions will significantly impact the future trajectory of U.S.-China relations and the global order.
