US hopes Blinken visit will ‘lower chances’ of ‘possible clash’ with China.
President Biden Sends High-Level Delegation to China to Reduce Risk of Conflict
President Joe Biden is taking proactive measures to address the potential conflict with China by sending a high-level delegation to engage in critical discussions. The goal is to reduce the risk of miscalculation and avoid any escalation that could lead to conflict, according to senior United States officials.
“This is a really critical series of engagements … that we again hope will, at a minimum, reduce the risk of miscalculation so that we do not veer into potential conflict,”
– Assistant Secretary Daniel Kritenbrink
Biden’s administration has been actively seeking to improve direct communication with China, driven by recent “dangerous incidents” involving Chinese military harassment of U.S. ships and planes in the Indo-Pacific region. China, which had previously halted such communication processes, took a confrontational stance in a pre-trip conversation with Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
“Since the beginning of the year, Sino-U.S. relations have encountered new difficulties and challenges, and the responsibility is clear,”
– Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang
The trip announcement comes shortly after the revelation that Chinese officials have established an intelligence outpost in Cuba, further highlighting the need for diplomatic engagement.
Kurt Campbell, the White House National Security Council’s coordinator for Indo-Pacific affairs, emphasized the importance of intense diplomacy in managing tensions and clearing up misperceptions.
China has been cutting off communication with the United States while increasing close encounters between their militaries, signaling their desire for the U.S. to withdraw from the Western Pacific and abandon alliances and partnerships. In response, the Pentagon has been highlighting China’s risky military behavior to raise awareness among Indo-Pacific countries.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made it clear that the U.S. will not be deterred by dangerous operational behavior and will support allies and partners in defending themselves against coercion and bullying.
Despite the challenges, Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink noted that there have been substantive and productive exchanges with Chinese officials, indicating a shared interest in reducing the risk of miscalculation and stopping the downward spiral in the relationship.
While there may not be immediate breakthroughs or transformation in the way the U.S. and China deal with each other, the delegation is approaching the discussions with a realistic and confident approach, aiming to manage competition responsibly.
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