The relationship between the US and China has been marked by tensions in recent years, increasingly extreme, which have been calmed with phone calls or high-level meetings. The meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Beijing on Monday served as a further reminder that both countries benefit from open dialogue. But with no concrete steps to address the issues fueling the tension, the two sides are one incident away — such as then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan or the “spy balloon” affair — from moving forward. opening the breach. separates them.
“The relationship was at a point of instability and both sides recognize the need to work to stabilize it,” Blinken said before leaving China, a trip that had been postponed in February precisely because of the “spy balloon”. It was the first visit by a US Secretary of State to Beijing since 2018. “Direct engagement and high-level sustained communication are the best ways to manage differences responsibly and ensure competition does not escalate into conflict” , he added to journalists. .
Xi Jinping, who has been in power for a decade, reiterated that the world needs a “stable” relationship between China and the US as “the future and destiny of humanity” is at stake, according to China’s official news agency Xinhua. . The world, said the Chinese leader, “does not want to see conflict or confrontation between China and the US or take sides between the two, and hopes that the two countries coexist in peace and enjoy friendly and cooperative relations.” And he repeated: “Neither side should try to bend the other, let alone deprive the other side of its legitimate right to development.”
Despite the words of both, the meeting will have ended without concrete measures, except for the decision to resume diplomatic dialogue – the head of Chinese diplomacy, Qin Qang, agreed to visit Washington. But Blinken failed to reopen lines of communication between the two countries’ military, in what was considered an essential step to prevent the situation in the Taiwan Strait from worsening. “We have made progress and are moving forward,” the US official said. “None of this can be solved with a visit,” he added.
The US Secretary of State reiterated that the US does not support Taiwan’s independence, but guarantees that it will stand by its pledge to defend the island against any threat from China – which views the area as a rebel province, whose sovereignty will not be subject to a vigorous restoration. excludes. “We will continue to oppose any unilateral amendment to the status quo by either party. And we continue to strive for a peaceful resolution of our differences,” Blinken said. China has responded to US gestures to Taiwan with an increase in military exercises – the latest involving live ammunition -, attitudes Washington considers “provocative”.
Besides Taiwan, the relationship between the two countries has been marked by tensions over trade issues – we’re talking about the world’s two largest economies – and technology – with the US trying to gain ground against China and avoid technology transfers. Then there are disagreements over human rights issues and the war in Ukraine, with Blinken saying Xi has renewed his pledge not to supply Russia with weapons.
Relationship in the Biden Era
January 20, 2021 Joe Biden takes office as US president and is in no hurry to reverse his predecessor’s sanctions and trade war policies on China.
February 10, 2021 Biden and Xi Jinping reveal opposing views on trade or human rights in their first phone call. The Chinese leader, in power since 2013, warns that confrontation would be a “disaster” for both countries.
March 18, 2021 Alaska hosts first high-level meeting between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and top Chinese diplomats Yang Jiechi and Wang Yi. Tensions are apparent and the meeting ends without a joint statement.
June 14, 2021 NATO declares that China poses a “systemic risk” to global security.
November 15, 2021 First virtual summit between Biden and Xi. North America speaks of a “sincere, constructive, substantial and effective” dialogue.
December 6, 2021 Due to human rights concerns, the US announces a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics in Beijing.
March 18, 2022 First telephone contact between Biden and Xi Jinping since the start of the war in Ukraine. Washington emphasizes the need for Beijing not to help Moscow in the conflict.
May 24, 2022 Biden is available to defend Taiwan militarily, but after protests from China, Washington says there is no change in policy on the island.
July 28, 2022 Xi warns Biden that the US should not “play with fire,” in a call the White House says is part of efforts to keep “lines of communication” open.
August 2, 2022 US House of Representatives Leader Nancy Pelosi visits Taiwan. China responds with military exercises.
November 15, 2022 First face-to-face meeting between Biden and Xi on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Bali. A “deep, sincere and constructive” dialogue.
February 3, 2023 Blinken cancels a planned visit to Beijing due to the Chinese “spy balloon” sighted over the US and later shot down. China says it was a civilian balloon that lost its way and regrets the matter.
June 19, 2023 Four months later than originally planned, Blinken meets Xi in Beijing.
Source: DN
