China seems open to improving relations with the United States. This tentative conclusion can be drawn from the meeting between President Xi Jinping and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Beijing. “An important signal,” says China correspondent Anouk Eigenraam.
Especially in connection with the shooting down of the Chinese spy balloon in February, as a result of which a previous visit could not be made. “It means there’s a little opening for more dialogue,” he says.
While few concrete things emerged from that dialogue, Eigenraam thinks there is more clarity for both sides. “They exchanged their views and said how they feel about certain issues,” he explains. “Think of the tensions around Taiwan, which Beijing sees as a renegade province, while the United States supports Taiwan.”
“It means there’s a small opening for more dialogue”
Ukraine
According to Eigenraam, Blinken and Xi also had extensive discussions about the war in Ukraine and the positions of both superpowers on the matter. Additionally, Blinken expressed his concern about the deteriorating business climate in China and expressed his desire for more flights between the United States and China. “The number of direct flights is currently still low and China has not yet given permission to increase it again. And this is a political thing.’
Improved
Eigenraam therefore believes that both countries have taken an important step with the meeting. While both sides disagree on many areas, a consensus has been reached in terms of each other’s relationship. “It has to be better, more stable and more predictable,” he continues. “And that in itself is good news for the world: They are the two largest and most powerful economies in the world.”
Among other things, the United States would be busy creating its own ‘guard rail’ by restoring dialogue with China, in order to prevent possible misunderstandings, says Eigenraam. “If communication between the United States and China were to deteriorate significantly in times of tension, that would be a scary thing.”
Guide
At least China’s state media had a good day, Eigenraam thinks. They were able to label the American visit very positively. “Of course, China also has an interest in improving relations with the US, that should be clear,” he says. Also considering the trade war. But now they’re framing it a bit as if ‘greater China’ is helping out with the Blinken-Xi meeting.
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
