Antony Blinken holds meeting with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Friday to address a range of complex issues, including the deepening tension over China’s support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The meeting took place at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, where the two officials engaged in closed-door discussions in an effort to maintain positive momentum in US-China relations despite the challenging agenda at hand.

During the opening session, Wang expressed concerns about the negative factors affecting the relationship between the two countries, citing disruptions and challenges to China’s core interests. In response, Blinken emphasized the importance of active diplomacy in advancing the agenda set by Presidents Biden and Xi during their meeting in November.

One of the key topics of discussion was China’s support for Russia, with US officials indicating that Washington is prepared to take action against Chinese companies involved in aiding Russia’s defense industry amid the conflict in Ukraine.

Despite efforts to address issues such as military communication and trade, tensions persist between the two nations. The US is particularly focused on limiting China’s supply of chemicals used in the production of fentanyl.

Blinken is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping before returning to Washington, although no official confirmation has been provided by either side. The Secretary of State arrived in Beijing from Shanghai, where he called on China to create a fair playing field for US businesses.

Overall, the meeting between Blinken and Wang underscores the complex and challenging nature of US-China relations, as both countries navigate a range of contentious issues in an effort to maintain stability and cooperation.