In an effort to defuse the escalating US-China tensions that have many people on edge throughout the world, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken began two days of crucial diplomatic talks in Beijing on Sunday.
Blinken met with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang for a lengthy talk that was to be followed by a working dinner as part of his schedule. On Monday, he is scheduled to have additional discussions with Qin, China's top diplomat Wang Yi, and potentially President Xi Jinping.
Neither Blinken nor Qin made any substantive comments to reporters as they began the meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.
According to reports, the chances of any meaningful breakthroughs are low despite Blinken's presence in the Chinese capital as relations, which were already strained, have become more tense recently. Over a number of disputes that have an impact on the stability and security of the world, hostility and recriminations have progressively increased.
Since President Joe Biden's inauguration, Blinken has been the highest-ranking American official to travel to China, and she is the first secretary of state to do so in the previous five years.
Blinken met with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang for a lengthy talk that was to be followed by a working dinner as part of his schedule. On Monday, he is scheduled to have additional discussions with Qin, China's top diplomat Wang Yi, and potentially President Xi Jinping.
Neither Blinken nor Qin made any substantive comments to reporters as they began the meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.
According to reports, the chances of any meaningful breakthroughs are low despite Blinken's presence in the Chinese capital as relations, which were already strained, have become more tense recently. Over a number of disputes that have an impact on the stability and security of the world, hostility and recriminations have progressively increased.
Since President Joe Biden's inauguration, Blinken has been the highest-ranking American official to travel to China, and she is the first secretary of state to do so in the previous five years.
