Blinken to visit China for talks with senior Beijing officials
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is on his way to Beijing to meet with senior Chinese officials. He will be the highest-ranking official of the Biden administration to visit China.
Blinken left an air force base near Washington on Friday night. He will arrive in the Chinese capital on Sunday and stay until Monday.
The details of Blinken’s schedule have not been revealed, but he is likely to hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang and top diplomat Wang Yi.
Arrangements are also believed to be underway for Blinken to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Blinken is expected to exchange views with Chinese officials on bilateral ties, Taiwan and the conflict in Ukraine.
US-China ties have remained at a low ebb over various issues.
Blinken was initially scheduled to travel to China in February, but the trip was postponed after an alleged Chinese spy balloon flew over US territory.
Blinken told reporters in Washington on Friday that the aim of his China trip is to establish open and empowered communications so that the two countries can responsibly manage their relationship.
