China and the United States have agreed to work towards stabilizing their intense rivalry and preventing it from escalating into conflict. However, their recent meeting in Beijing, the first since 2018, did not produce any major breakthroughs. Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the importance of a more stable relationship, recognizing that any conflict between the two largest economies in the world would have global repercussions.
Despite the desire for stability, China refused to resume military-to-military communication channels with the United States, citing U.S. sanctions as the obstacle. The two sides remain entrenched in their positions on various issues, including Taiwan, trade, human rights, and Russia’s war against Ukraine.
While the meeting did not provide a clear path to overcoming these differences, both countries agreed to continue diplomatic engagements with more visits in the coming weeks and months. Blinken stated that progress would not be easy and would require time and sustained effort. The U.S. officials hope that this visit will pave the way for more bilateral meetings, including possible trips by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. There is even hope that it could lead to a summit between President Xi and President Biden later in the year.
During the meeting, President Xi acknowledged the progress made and the agreement on specific issues. He expressed his hope for a sound and steady China-U.S. relationship and believed that the two countries could overcome various difficulties. However, he also urged the United States not to harm China’s legitimate rights and interests, particularly regarding Taiwan.
The lack of open communication channels between China and the United States has raised concerns globally, and China’s reluctance to engage in regular military-to-military talks with the U.S. has alarmed its neighbors. Chinese officials stated that U.S. sanctions were hindering progress in improving military-to-military communications. China’s defense minister, Li Shangfu, has been under sanctions since 2018 due to the purchase of combat aircraft and equipment from Russia’s main arms exporter.
Despite the challenges, analysts believe that China’s messaging has been positive, indicating a willingness to work with the U.S. to stabilize and improve relations. While China remains cautious about the prospects of Sino-U.S. relations, it has not given up hope for progress.
The issue of Taiwan was a focal point throughout Blinken’s visit, with Chinese officials stating that there is no room for compromise or concessions on the matter. The United States has maintained a policy of “strategic ambiguity” regarding its response to a potential attack on Taiwan, which Beijing has not ruled out.
The meeting between Blinken and Xi, along with the diplomatic choreography of the visit, signals a mutual desire to make progress. While major breakthroughs were not achieved, the meeting sets the stage for further engagement and dialogue between the two countries.
Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk in Beijing; Additional reporting by Jason Xue in Shanghai, Sophie Yu, Yew Lun Tian, Dominique Patton, Joe Cash in Beijing, Jeanny Kao and Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Writing by Humeyra Pamuk, John Geddie, Doina Chiacu; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore, Andrew Heavens, and Lisa Shumaker.
strategic rivalry theory
P, noting the importance of cooperation and understanding between the two countries. Despite the lack of major breakthroughs, both sides expressed a commitment to working towards stabilizing their rivalry and preventing any escalation into conflict.
However, it is worth noting that China’s refusal to resume military-to-military communication channels with the United States, citing U.S. sanctions as the obstacle, indicates the continued challenges and differences between the two nations. These differences extend to various issues, including Taiwan, trade, human rights, and Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Despite these challenges, the meeting resulted in an agreement to continue diplomatic engagements with more visits in the coming weeks and months. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized that progress would require time and sustained effort. The U.S. officials also expressed hope that this visit would lay the groundwork for further bilateral meetings, including potential trips by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. There is even optimism that it could lead to a summit between President Xi and President Biden later in the year.
Overall, while the recent meeting in Beijing did not produce any major breakthroughs in addressing the deep-rooted issues between China and the United States, it reflected a shared recognition of the importance of a more stable relationship and a commitment to diplomatic engagement. The path to overcoming these differences remains challenging, but both countries have expressed a willingness to continue working towards a sound and steady China-U.S. relationship.
“Despite their efforts to stabilize the intense rivalry, China and the United States are still struggling to achieve a major breakthrough. Both countries should continue to engage in constructive dialogue and search for common ground to pave the way for effective cooperation in the future.”