Blinken will visit China in February to discuss ‘broad array of issues’

• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to China in Feb 23, as part of a ‘step ladder’ of future meetings between senior US and Chinese officials to build a minimum level of confidence in the troubled bilateral relationship, potentially leading to President Xi Jinping’s attendance at the Asia Pacific Economic Summit in San Francisco in Nov 23.
• As part of this process, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen met with vice-premier Liu He in Switzerland on 17 Jan.
• The administration hopes that Blinken will have an opportunity to meet with several interlocutors to discuss the broad array of issues that form the basis of what is arguably the most consequential bilateral relationship in the world.
• Analysts are watching closely on China’s willingness to engage further and otherwise erect “guardrails” to prevent the relationship from deteriorating further.
• But many doubt this is a fundamental rapprochement but rather a tactical easing given the many economic, military and social challenges facing China’s leadership.
• White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre mentioned that she does not expect any adjustment to the US’s rhetoric towards China.

External Link : https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3207325/blinken-will-visit-china-february-discuss-broad-array-issues-state-department-says