U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to embark on a trip to China on Wednesday, as Washington accuses Beijing of supporting Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
During his visit from Wednesday to Friday, Blinken will visit Shanghai and Beijing, with the possibility of meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping, although this has not been confirmed yet.
The purpose of the trip is to enhance diplomatic relations with China, but also to address various issues where the U.S. and China have differing policies.
Blinken will discuss concerns such as Chinese support for Russia’s defense industry, ongoing crises in the Middle East and Myanmar, tensions concerning Taiwan, and recent provocations in the South China Sea.
However, the official remains cautious about the prospect of significant breakthroughs in resolving these issues given the deep-rooted differences between the two countries.
While the meeting with President Xi is rumored, details will be confirmed later, but it is expected that Blinken will have substantial discussions with Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
‘Fueling’ the Ukraine war
Chinese businesses have been accused of indirectly aiding Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine by supplying technology required for their defense industry, allowing Moscow to sustain its aggression.
Blinken highlighted that, while direct weapon supplies from China to Russia have not been observed, there has been assistance in building Russia’s defense capabilities, particularly after prior sanctions had weakened them.
The U.S. has raised concerns about China’s clandestine support for Russia while also seeking closer ties with Europe, urging China to reconsider its actions that threaten European security.
The G-7 group also called on China to pressure Russia to halt its military aggression and expressed worries about the transfer of materials from China to Russia for military purposes.
Regarding these claims, the Chinese Embassy in Washington did not dispute them but maintained that China is not directly involved in the Ukraine crisis and upholds a neutral stance.
Not the only tension
Blinken’s visit coincides with other contentious issues between the U.S. and China, stemming from previous talks between Xi and Biden, with disputes involving cybersecurity, territorial conflicts in the South China Sea, and economic disagreements.
The trip will involve key officials focusing on public diplomacy, East Asia affairs, narcotics, law enforcement, and cyber policies accompanying Blinken.