[Comprehensive] US Secretary of State Criticizes China for 45 Minutes Mentioning Xi Jinping

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] "Under Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Chinese Communist Party has become more repressive domestically and more aggressive abroad."

On the 26th (local time), U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken sharply criticized China for deliberately undermining the international order despite having benefited the most from its laws and principles. He also announced a policy to change the "strategic environment" so that if China does not change, it will be forced to do so.

According to the State Department, Secretary Blinken delivered a roughly 45-minute strategic speech on China at George Washington University, meticulously criticizing China as if determined.

Blinken defined the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine as serious, but said, "The most serious long-term challenge to the international order remains China." He stated, "China is the only country with the intent and the economic, diplomatic, military, and technological power to reshape the international order," and condemned China for damaging rather than inheriting the laws, agreements, principles, and institutions from which it has benefited the most.

In particular, Secretary Blinken directly mentioned President Xi, delivering strong criticism of China’s comprehensive actions in security, economy, human rights, and technology. He raised the "China responsibility theory" regarding Taiwan, a core issue in U.S.-China conflicts, and pointed out human rights abuses confirmed in Hong Kong, Tibet, and Xinjiang.

This statement came just two days after U.S. President Joe Biden returned from his first visits to South Korea and Japan, where he openly conveyed messages to check China. In fact, this speech serves as a comprehensive summary of the Biden administration’s China diplomacy strategy and a declaration to intensify U.S. involvement in the Indo-Pacific region following the Korea-Japan visits.

At the beginning of the speech, Blinken said, "We are not seeking a clash or a new Cold War with China. We have decided to avoid both," but this is also interpreted as a strong willingness to actively engage to solidify U.S. leadership in the Indo-Pacific. While emphasizing the necessity of diplomacy, he also stated, "We cannot rely solely on the expectation that China will change its course," which is read in a similar context. Secretary Blinken emphasized, "We will change the strategic environment surrounding China to advance a vision for a free and inclusive international system."

The keywords Secretary Blinken presented as the Biden administration’s China strategy are "investment," "partnership," and "competition." The plan is to expand domestic investment, strengthen alliances and partnerships, and compete with China. The recent Korea-Japan visits are also seen as part of this strategic operation.

He said, "President Biden views the next decade as very decisive," and added, "Through these two means (investment and partnership), we will compete with China to protect national interests and build a future vision." Specifically, he confirmed leading innovation in science and technology through large-scale investments in infrastructure and research and development (R&D).

As the U.S. sends explicit messages to check China, tensions between the two major powers (G2) are expected to escalate again. Having focused diplomatic efforts on Europe due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for some time, the U.S. has recently tightened its reins on China. Secretary Blinken emphasized, "We are not seeking political regime change in China. We are ready to communicate directly with Beijing," but added, "We will consult when possible, but will not abandon our principles."