Blinken visits Beijing amidst criticism, low expectations for progress.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken Meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang

A Controversial Visit

On June 17, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang in Beijing. This two-day visit has drawn criticism, with experts and U.S. lawmakers arguing that visiting China was a mistake.

Blinken’s visit is significant as he is the highest-level U.S. official to set foot in China since President Joe Biden took office in 2021. In fact, the last secretary of state to visit China was Mike Pompeo in 2018, and he only stayed for one day.

The meeting between Blinken and Qin took place at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing. After a brief chat and handshake, they headed into a meeting room without making any comments in front of reporters.

Efforts to Engage with Beijing

Blinken’s trip to Beijing is part of Washington’s ongoing efforts to engage with China. However, the communist regime has been resistant to bilateral exchanges on the military level.

Before Blinken’s visit, U.S. officials and outside observers had already expressed low expectations for any major breakthroughs.

China’s Aggressive Stance

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has been intensifying efforts to prepare the party’s military wing and the country’s population for conflict. This comes after a recent incident where a Chinese warship came dangerously close to colliding with a U.S. destroyer in the Taiwan Strait.

Despite these provocations, Qin told Blinken in a phone call that the United States should show respect and bear responsibility for the worsening ties.

China’s Vulnerabilities

While China continues to assert itself, analysts suggest that it had to agree to Blinken’s visit to improve relations. The country’s post-COVID economic recovery is losing momentum, youth unemployment is at a record high, and foreign investment sentiment is declining due to the regime’s regulatory crackdown.

According to China affairs commentator Li Linyi, if the Chinese Communist Party completely falls out with the United States, foreign investors would likely leave the mainland, which is a situation the CCP wants to avoid.

Meeting with Xi Jinping

It remains to be seen whether Blinken will meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during his visit. Xi recently met with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates in Beijing.

Challenges and Criticisms

Many have questioned Blinken’s decision to visit China at this time. Republican lawmakers, such as House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik and Sen. Marsha Blackburn, have criticized the Biden administration’s pursuit of a thaw in relations with the CCP.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul has called on Blinken to impose sanctions on CCP officials and prioritize the protection of American interests during discussions with Chinese officials.

‘Position of Weakness’

Alex Gray, a senior fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council, has raised concerns about the United States appearing weak in its dealings with China. He questions why Blinken would want to meet with Chinese officials given China’s continued aggressive behavior.

Gray suggests that the Biden administration’s focus on climate change may be influencing its approach to China. However, experts have pointed out that China has no intention of helping the West on this issue.

Despite these challenges, Blinken’s visit to China continues, and the outcome of his meetings with Chinese officials remains uncertain.