First Negotiation with China after the Quad Meeting
[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken, who is embarking on a tour of South Korea and Japan, will meet with Chinese officials on his way back. As the Biden administration's first high-level contact with China, it is expected to become an important milestone for future bilateral relations.
On the 10th (local time), the U.S. State Department announced that Secretary Blinken and Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor at the White House, will meet with Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party responsible for foreign affairs, and Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China, in Anchorage, Alaska on the 18th.
This announcement came following visits by Secretary Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to South Korea and Japan. Coincidentally, the 'Quad' summit, an anti-China security alliance, will be held on the 12th. Through this series of moves, the U.S. appears to be securing support from allies to confront China before meeting with Chinese officials.
Secretary Austin will head to India from South Korea, but Secretary Blinken will meet his counterpart Yang Jiechi in Alaska on his way back, marking the Biden administration's first high-level U.S.-China contact.
The State Department stated that Secretary Blinken will discuss various topics and return to Washington on the 19th. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that the U.S. and China are scheduled to hold talks over two days, on the 18th and 19th.
According to WSJ, citing senior officials, issues such as climate change, COVID-19 response, as well as Hong Kong and Taiwan will be raised. The officials also mentioned that China's sanctions against Australia will be discussed.
The Biden administration has strengthened pressure on China, stating that while it will cooperate with China when necessary, it is prepared for competition and even confrontation.
WSJ reported that China requested early face-to-face talks to improve bilateral relations, but Bloomberg stated, "China has sent few signals indicating a willingness to compromise on human rights, industrial policy, or the South China Sea."
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