13-7-2023 (JAKARTA) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is engaging in a high-level meeting with Chinese diplomat Wang Yi on Thursday, marking another significant interaction between the United States and China in recent months.
Wang Yi, the prominent foreign policy chief of the Chinese Communist Party, is representing China at the diplomatic gathering in Jakarta in the absence of Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who is unable to attend due to health reasons, according to Reuters.
This meeting follows their previous encounter in Beijing less than a month ago, during which the two officials had what Blinken described as a “candid and constructive” conversation.
Efforts to stabilize the relationship between the world’s two largest economies have gained momentum, following a period of heightened tensions between the United States and China.
The Biden administration views the pace of diplomacy between the two nations as returning to normal, as senior administration officials have highlighted the importance of responsible management and open communication in bilateral relations, according to CNN.
After Blinken’s visit to Beijing in mid-June, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen made a trip to the Chinese capital last week, and Climate Envoy John Kerry is scheduled to visit in the coming days.
Both Blinken and Yellen expressed optimism about progress in rebuilding bilateral communication channels to address various challenges and opportunities in the US-China relationship.
While key issues remain unresolved, such as frozen military-to-military communication channels and the issue of fentanyl trafficking, the Biden administration is looking for areas where progress can be made. Climate, health, and counter-narcotics efforts are being explored as potential areas of cooperation.
However, challenges persist, including China’s demand for the lifting of sanctions on its defense chief and a long list of reasons hindering cooperation and coordination between the two nations.
Despite ongoing obstacles, the US and China are actively seeking ways to establish narrower areas of collaboration to promote shared objectives. Climate change, health initiatives, and counter-narcotics efforts are among the areas that may hold potential for cooperation.
However, addressing the issue of fentanyl remains a challenge, as Chinese officials cite sanctions on a Chinese laboratory and recent arrests of Chinese nationals involved in drug trafficking as obstacles to cooperation.
Additionally, cybersecurity concerns continue to strain relations, with Microsoft’s recent disclosure of China-based hackers infiltrating email accounts of numerous organizations, including US government agencies, for espionage purposes.
While the US government has refrained from attributing responsibility publicly, it acknowledges Microsoft’s attribution to China, further highlighting the complex dynamics in the bilateral relationship.
