Shanghai, 25 April 2024 (TDI): United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken embarked on a visit to China aimed at addressing various contentious issues and to discuss the progress over the commitments made by President Xi and President Biden during their meeting at the Woodside Summit in November.
Secretary Blinken is on a three day official visit to China at the invitation of the Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC (Communist Party of China) Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi.
This high-level engagement is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen relations between the two nations, building on recent working groups and exchanges on global trade, military communication, and more.
Blinken met with Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Jining to discuss the importance of healthy economic competition and a level playing field for U.S. workers and businesses operating in China.
In a meeting with the Shanghai Communist Party secretary Thursday morning, Mr. Blinken said direct engagement between the U.S. and China was both valuable and necessary.
During his meeting with Chinese official Chen Jining in Shanghai, Secretary Blinken expressed concerns about China’s trade policies and economic practices, emphasizing the importance of fair competition and a level playing field for US workers and firms operating in China.
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Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin reiterated China’s commitment to market principles and WTO rules, encouraging the US to respect fair competition and collaborate on fostering a favorable environment for China-US economic and trade relations.
Secretary Blinken also engaged with business leaders and students at New York University’s Shanghai campus, highlighting the value of intercultural interactions in promoting mutual understanding.
As the visit progresses, discussions will continue in Beijing with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and possibly President Xi Jinping, focusing on regional and global issues with special emphasis on Russia-Ukraine conflict.
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