During their meeting in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi issued a warning to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, cautioning against crossing China’s “red lines.” The message was conveyed by Wang during a discussion on Friday between the two foreign ministers.
Wang emphasized that the United States should refrain from interfering in China’s internal affairs, suppressing its development, or crossing Beijing’s established boundaries concerning sovereignty, security, and development interests. The Chinese Foreign Minister also highlighted that while relations between China and the United States are stabilizing, they are still being tested by various negative factors.
On the other hand, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the United States to view China as a partner rather than a rival. While Wang did not specify the exact issues behind the “red lines” mentioned, friction between the two nations persists on topics such as sovereignty in the South China Sea, US support for Taiwan, and human rights violations in China.
Antony Blinken, in response, advocated for improving relations between the two countries through active diplomacy. He acknowledged the importance of addressing differences openly to prevent misunderstandings in what he described as the most vital relationship globally.
The tensions were heightened earlier in the week when the US approved a foreign aid package including military assistance to Taiwan, drawing strong criticism from Beijing. Blinken’s visit to China coincided with the passing of a new law in the US that could lead to the prohibition of TikTok unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells the application within nine months.
Despite the disagreements and challenges, both sides reiterated the need for partnership and cooperation. Analysts view Blinken’s visit as a significant step towards enhancing dialogue and diplomacy between the two nations, even as they navigate through complex geopolitical issues.