According to a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, the official will arrive in Beijing to hold working meetings with her Chinese counterpart and other executives on an agenda that will last until the 30th.

“China will state its position on topics of economic and trade interest to the US side, and looks forward to in-depth discussions on resolving differences and promoting practical cooperation,” the spokesperson said.

The ministry stated at a press conference that bilateral trade and investment are facing some difficulties and challenges related to a “series of unilateralist and protectionist measures taken by the US side.”

This is the fourth high-level official from Joe Biden’s administration to arrive in China in less than three months, which some experts interpret as an attempt to distend the deteriorating relations between the two powers. However, Raimondo arrives at a time of new tensions between Beijing and Washington over the latter’s interference in China’s internal affairs and in the Taiwan issue.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry recently deplored the decision of the United States to receive Taiwanese Vice President Lai Ching-te, which it described as a serious violation of China’s territorial sovereignty. It also emphasized that the event fuels cross-strait tensions and shows that Washington is determined to use this scenario to contain Beijing.

Separately, the Chinese Defense Ministry condemned US support for a new arms sale to Taiwan, calling it “an egregious act that seriously violates the one-China principle,” and urged Washington to honor its commitment to not support the separatists and abandon its military ties with Taiwan.

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