US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the US does not expect any breakthrough in relations with China during Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s visit to Beijing.
Sullivan confirmed from Tokyo, Japan, where he met with colleagues from Japan, South Korea and the Philippines, that Blinken will explain US policy during his visit to China, where the United States is conducting “active diplomacy” to resolve tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
Sullivan said the most important diplomatic event for the United States is Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington next week.
According to Agence France Presse, Blinken’s visit to China this weekend shows a desire to resume dialogue with Beijing, but the US does not expect profound changes.
Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the US State Department, said: “Blinken will meet with senior officials in China to discuss the importance of maintaining open lines of communication for the responsible management of the relationship between the United States and China.”
Kurt Campbell, National Security Council coordinator for the Indo-Pacific region, stressed that the trip does not represent a “strategic turning point”, adding: “We will not let our guard down on our interests or our values or stop our pursuit of sustainable competitive advantage.” .
Blinken is expected to travel to Beijing on June 18-19 for talks with Chinese officials, including his Chinese counterpart Chen Gan.
Source: US media