Blinken, Wang address China’s supports for Russia

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated Washington’s concerns over Beijing’s actions toward Taiwan and its support for Russia’s war in Ukraine during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Saturday. The talks, held on the sidelines of a regional summit in Laos, marked the sixth meeting between the two diplomats since June 2023.

A senior U.S. State Department official revealed that Blinken addressed China’s recent “provocative” actions toward Taiwan, including a simulated blockade during the inauguration of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te. These actions have escalated tensions between the U.S. and China, particularly regarding the democratically governed island, which Beijing views as an inseparable part of its territory.

The official stated that Blinken and Wang agreed to continue working on their countries’ military-to-military ties, although discussions on nuclear arms control were absent, due to China’s protest over U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. “In every discussion, Taiwan is the issue that they care most about. They see it as … an internal China issue,” the official noted.

In a statement from China’s foreign ministry, Wang Yi reiterated Beijing’s stance that Taiwan “was not and will not be a country” and warned against any provocations by forces advocating for Taiwan’s independence. He emphasized that while communication channels with the U.S. remain open, Washington’s efforts to contain and suppress Beijing are intensifying. “The risks facing Sino-U.S. relations are still accumulating and the challenges are rising, and ties are at a critical juncture of halting their decline and achieving stability,” Wang said.

The two diplomats also discussed the broader geopolitical landscape, with Blinken highlighting U.S. concerns over China’s support for Russia’s defense industrial base amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Blinken warned of further U.S. actions if China does not curb this support, as Washington has already imposed sanctions on China-based companies supplying semiconductors to Moscow.

In addition, Blinken raised issues of human rights in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Tibet, and called for more progress from Beijing on counter-narcotics efforts, particularly regarding fentanyl precursors originating from China. The conversation also touched upon a recent agreement between Palestinian factions brokered by Beijing, which Blinken cast doubt on, citing the ineffectiveness of previous reconciliations.

Blinken’s East Asia tour aims to reassure regional allies of U.S. commitment amid political uncertainties at home. Following his meeting with Wang, he traveled to Vietnam and is scheduled to hold security talks with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Japan and the Philippines in the coming days. Blinken conveyed to Wang that both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris believe in the importance of stability in U.S.-China relations and the need to uphold a rules-based international order.

Source: Reuters