Disconcerted over Beijing’s fattening support of Moscow in its war against Ukraine, Antony Blinken – US State Secretary has expedited on a three-day visit to China, indicating transformation in their shared intimacy
United States Secretary of State – Antony Blinken is expected to spend the next three days in China to discuss upon key global issues affecting two of the most powerful countries in the world. The US Secretary, armed with a proposition to derail China’s interference in Moscow’s arm supplies which has given it a strong sense of statehood in its presentation on the battleground shows cooperation both countries have tried to muster amid a worsening rift.
The US and the European Union have repeatedly demonstrated their lack of support for an authoritarian dictator who preaches himself before the law. Russia in its quest to confiscate Ukrainian territories has erupted an all-out divide in the world, reprimands United States. Therefore it becomes extraordinarily relevant for US to emigrate steps billeting Moscow’s strength and warn China to curtail sale of weapons to Russia, which is helping Vladimir Putin rebuilt and modernize his arm factories.
“I head to Shanghai and Beijing for intensive face-to-face diplomacy. Our ongoing, direct engagement is vital for making progress on issues that matter the most to the American people and the world”, Blinken posted on X.
Antony Blinken’s visit to China – a reflection of their improving association?
Relations between US and China can be interpretated as a Chameleon’s uncanny ability to change its color. Concerned over Beijing’s uncontrollable lust to built its formidable empire in the Pacific had pushed US to distance itself both economically and diplomatically from China. In its discourse to thrust its influence over Taiwan further bridged that distance.
But lately their relationship has grown to become more warmer, especially after Beijing’s significant reluctance in posturing its military potency on Taiwan’s statehood. In the wake of the summit between Xi Jinping and Joe Biden in Woodside, California, progress was made on tourism and cultural exchange, doubling the number of flights between the two countries.
Fentanyl is a powerful opioid whose consumption has become a primary cause of death among young Americans. In the wake of the summit, Beijing promised to take steps to curb the supply of the drug and impose penalties on suppliers who try to sell it illegally. Cooperation on pharmaceutical aesthetics illuminated another speck of light.
Antony Blinken visitation is an added feather to the cap of US-China diplomacy. Broadening cooperation on world affairs at an intimate gathering where state ministers of both the nations would sit facing each other, shaking hands and resolving differences in a dignified manner is a significantly sturdy improvement.
Antony Blinken’s three-day itinerary as he lands in China
On his three-day visit, Blinken will first stop in Shanghai before heading to Beijing. In Shanghai, the minister is expected to attend a basketball game and interact with students – an act of diplomacy that would have been unthinkable a year ago, when relations were strained mostly over Taiwan.
His agenda will start once he lands in Beijing where Antony Blinken will attend a six-hour long dialogue with his counterpart, Wang Yi on Friday. He might put-forth his proposition to curtail China’s sale of dual-pose products to Russia in his interaction with President Xi Jinping. Important economic dialogue especially concerning US sanctions on Chinese companies will also see the light of the day.
The US has shared a common goal with its European counterparts who are alarmed by prospects of rebuilt, modernized and battle-hardened Russian military in the hands of an over-aggressive Kremlin leader. The foreign ministers of the G7 have also issues a strong statement earlier this week, saying “China should ensure that this support will stop.”
There joint effort to convince Beijing to back down from their plans to supply arms directly to Russia did not yield any outcome during the beginning of the war against Ukraine. But despite the hurdles, Antony Blinken must be ready to make their wish come true this time. If he succeeds, it will excite a groundbreaking development in US-China relationship.