After nearly two weeks of intensive discussions between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese officials in Beijing to address the deteriorating U.S.-China relations, there were signs of progress with the announcement of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s upcoming four-day visit to China starting Thursday.
The Chinese Communist Party made a seemingly coordinated move by announcing Pan Gongsheng’s appointment as the party secretary of the People’s Bank of China, indicating a potential future role as governor.
Yellen expressed her hope to re-establish contact and emphasized the importance of discussing disagreements between the two nations to avoid misunderstandings.
If Yellen’s visit proves successful, other American officials are expected to follow suit, and senior Chinese officials may reciprocate with visits to the United States.
During Blinken’s visit, China agreed to reopen channels of communication, excluding military channels.
Blinken acknowledged that progress could not be achieved through a single visit and recognized the discussions as laying the groundwork for the relationship.
However, the relationship faces challenges in Washington due to pending China-related bills and the need to avoid appearing weak on China.
Shortly after Blinken’s departure, President Biden’s characterization of China’s president, Xi Jinping, as a dictator raised concerns about jeopardizing the fragile accord.
Despite Biden’s remarks, China confirmed the accord remained intact and emphasized its commitment to maintaining a stable relationship with the United States.
Blinken’s visit followed a meeting between Biden and Xi in Bali, during which they agreed on the importance of ongoing communication and discussions among senior officials to manage the bilateral relationship.
The U.S.-China relationship has deteriorated since Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August, resulting in severed communication channels between the two nations.
Blinken’s trip, initially scheduled for February, was postponed due to the “spy balloon” incident.
Eventually, he visited China in late June for a two-day round of talks.
However, two days were insufficient to resolve deep-rooted issues, including recent military incidents arising from conflicting policies rather than miscommunication.
One such incident occurred in the Taiwan Strait, where a Chinese guided-missile destroyer deliberately crossed paths with the USS Chung-Hoon, highlighting the differing interpretations of international law between the two nations.
The U.S. also raised concerns about China’s defense minister, who refused to meet with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, considering the ongoing American sanctions.
A re-evaluation of the impact of individual sanctions on the relationship is vital.
Another individual subject to American sanctions is Hong Kong’s chief executive, John Lee.
As the host of the 2023 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings, the United States faced a dilemma regarding Lee’s invitation, potentially affecting the opportunity for a U.S.-China summit.
The Biden administration aims to establish guidelines for the China relationship, which includes refraining from personal attacks on leaders.
However, analysts suggest that there is a focus on domestic politics and prioritization of re-election.
Domestic politics can have long-term implications for foreign relations, and public sentiment in the United States toward China appears to be increasingly negative.
A February poll revealed a growing perception among Americans of China as an enemy, which could hinder efforts to improve relations.
If the United States solidifies its perception of China as an enemy, there is a risk of a Cold War-like scenario where both nations view each other with unwavering hostility.
Such a situation would yield no winners, only losers. Responsible leaders, particularly those in the United States, must take immediate action to avert this outcome.
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