Jakarta –
United States Department of State senior official (AS) is scheduled to visit China in the midst of heated relations. The official will discuss bilateral relations between the two countries.
The US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink will discuss “key issues in the bilateral relationship” during his visit to China, the State Department said in a statement.
He will be joined by the White House National Security Council Senior Director on China and Taiwan Affairs Sarah Beran.
Relations between the world’s two largest economies are strained over issues ranging from Taiwan and China’s human rights record to military activity in the South China Sea.
During his travels from Sunday (5/6/2023), through June 10, Kritenbrink will also visit New Zealand to participate in the US-New Zealand Strategic Dialogue, the department said.
Kritenbrink’s trip follows a visit last month to China by CIA Director William Burns. A US official said Burns “stressed the importance of maintaining open lines of communication in intelligence channels” in a meeting with his Chinese counterparts.
Earlier, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin rebuked China for refusing to hold military talks.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s top security summit, Austin said Beijing’s reluctance to talk was undermining efforts to maintain peace in a region where the two rivals are increasing their military might.
(aik/aik)
2023-06-03 17:48:55
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