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LiveLIVETop US diplomat visits Beijing amid strained relations
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With Stephen McDonell and Anthony Zurcher reporting from Beijing.
Summary
Edited by Jay Savage
784784
viewing this page
With Stephen McDonell and Anthony Zurcher reporting from Beijing.
Summary
- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Beijing on Sunday to improve the deteriorating relationship between the two superpowers
- He had planned to visit in February but postponed the trip after the US shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon
- It is the first visit by a top US diplomat to China in almost five years
- Blinken is meeting top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi on Monday - it is not clear yet if he will also meet President Xi Jinping
- China-US ties have steadily declined in recent years due to trade conflicts and tensions over human rights and Taiwan, among other issues
- Expectations are low that any serious headway will be made on the growing list of disputes between the two countries
- Live Reporting
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Edited by Jay Savage
- Posted at 12:3312:33
Watch: US and China's top diplomats shake hands
Blinken and Wang began their meeting about an hour ago.
It's taking place at Beijing's Diaoyutai State Guesthouse - a lavish estate typically used to host visiting dignitaries.
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Video caption: Watch: Blinken meets top Chinese diplomat Wang YiWatch: Blinken meets top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi
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- Posted at 12:2012:20
Watch: Blinken's arrival on Sunday
As we await any updates from Antony Blinken and Wang Yi's closed-door meeting, here's a visual recap of the top US diplomat's arrival in Beijing on Sunday morning.
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Video caption: Watch: Blinken arrives for high stakes China tripWatch: Blinken arrives for high stakes China trip
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- Posted at 11:5011:50
Antony Blinken and Wang Yi meeting begins
Anthony Zurcher
Travelling with the US secretary of state
BBCCopyright: BBC
The meeting is under wayImage caption: The meeting is under way
Antony Blinken has begun his meeting with China's top diplomat Wang Yi.
The US secretary of state made no comments after walking into the room at the Diaoyutai state guest house ahead of the meeting. The press was quickly ushered out of the room.
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- Posted at 11:3311:33
Who is Wang Yi?
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
China's top diplomat Wang Yi is known for his "wolf warrior" diplomacyImage caption: China's top diplomat Wang Yi is known for his "wolf warrior" diplomacy
Known for his "wolf warrior" diplomacy, Wang Yi directs China's foreign policy. He was appointed director of the general office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission in October 2022, after a decade-long tenure as the country’s foreign minister.
The 69-year-old was at the time also promoted to the Politburo, the second-highest decision-making body in the party, despite crossing the customary retirement age of 68.
Wang has often struck a strong and high-handed tone in conveying to the world that Beijing will not be threated and pushed around, not least by Washington. His stint as foreign minister saw a rise in tensions between China and the US on a wide range of issues, from trade relations to Taiwan.
Wang's previous position as foreign minister was taken by Qin Gang, formerly ambassador to the US.
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- Posted at 11:3211:32
Blinken to meet Wang Yi
Antony Blinken is scheduled to meet with China's top diplomat Wang Yi shortly.
Blinken is the first US secretary of state to visit China in five years. He is also the most senior member of the Biden administration to make the trip.
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- Posted at 11:2711:27
The major issues at play
We’re talking about the world's two biggest powers. The largest economies in the world. Issues between these nations can have world-changing repercussions. Here are some of the key topics:- Trade - A trade war started between the Trump administration and China, and economic tensions have been ongoing ever since, even under Joe Biden. You can read more about what’s at stake here.
- Taiwan - China’s territorial claim over Taiwan frequently results in military drills. Often, this is in response to the US military holding its own drills in the region. It’s a complex issue, which you can read more about here.
- South China Sea - China claims ownership of the South China Sea. Parts if it are also claimed by the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan. Military posturing is common, and there’s some man-made islands that have raised suspicion. Read more here.
- Espionage - There’s the Chinese balloon shot down by the US. But there are also claims of corporate espionage, hackers, and Chinese tech firms like TikTok and Huawei have been accused of spying.
- Russia - The US put sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, but China has increased trade with them. China is now Russia’s most important trade partner. You can read more here.
Video caption: Why is everyone fighting over the South China Sea?Why is everyone fighting over the South China Sea?
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Posted at 11:2411:24
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Welcome
Hello and welcome to our coverage of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s long-anticipated visit to China.
Blinken arrived in Beijing on Sunday, when he met the Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang. Today he is scheduled to meet China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi.
Blinken’s trip was originally planned for earlier this year, but was abruptly postponed after a large Chinese balloon - about as tall as the Leaning Tower of Pisa - started floating across the US.
The US says it was a spy balloon, China says it was a weather device blown off course. Whatever it was, a US fighter jet shot it down, heightening tensions between the two countries.
Neither side has spoken with any confidence of a major diplomatic breakthrough being made on this visit, but experts hope that opening the dialogue is a step towards improving ties.
Stick with us as we bring you the latest news and analysis.
