In a meeting held in Beijing on the last day of Blinken’s visit, Wang Yi called on his counterpart to stop crossing red lines regarding China’s sovereignty, security and interests. However, he acknowledged that after the meeting between the two presidents in San Francisco last November, bilateral relations stabilized and both sides increased dialogue, cooperation and positive aspects in various fields. Then again, negative factors in the ties continue to accumulate and “face various interruptions and sabotages,” he commented.

“China has always adhered to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation,” added the Chinese foreign minister, who insisted on Beijing’s commitment to promoting the stable, healthy and sustainable development of bilateral ties.

As part of his agenda in China, Blinken arrived in Shanghai on the 24th and spoke with Chen Jining, secretary of the Municipal Committee of the Communist Party in the city. Both sides advocated for responsibly managing their differences. He also visited New York University in Shanghai to meet with professors and students, and met with business leaders at the American Chamber of Commerce.

The Secretary of State arrived in China while a bill supplying military aid to Taiwan is advancing in the US Congress, adding friction between the two countries.

Beijing has repeatedly drawn attention to the latest series of US measures to stifle China’s trade and technological development, as well as the increasing amount of sanctions on Chinese entities. Added to this are Beijing’s repeated warnings regarding the deployment of missiles by the United States in the Asia-Pacific region, which China considers a serious threat to its national security.

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