15-7-2023 (WAHSINGTON) The United States and China must “responsibly manage” their relationship, according to Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State.
He said: “We have an obligation both the US and China, to responsibly manage our relationship. We want to make sure the competition that we are in does not veer into conflict. And that starts with good communication. It starts with making sure there are no misunderstandings or misperceptions.”
Blinken emphasized the importance of dialogue with China, which President Joe Biden has prioritized by dispatching diplomats to Beijing in recent weeks. This includes Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen last week and climate envoy John Kerry in the coming days.
Blinken said: “We have profound differences that we are trying to manage responsibly. There are areas where we should be able to cooperate because it’s in our mutual interest, and in the interests of other countries as well.”
He noted that Southeast Asian countries expect both the U.S and China “to responsibly manage our relationship.”
On engagement with ASEAN, Blinken stressed economic ties and the need for freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific. He avoided questions on any increased U.S military presence.
Regarding Myanmar, Blinken praised Indonesia’s leadership but said the military junta has not responded positively despite ASEAN’s Five Point Consensus peace plan. Sanctions have not deterred the junta but pressure must continue, he said, while arms should not be supplied to the military regime.
