Antony Blinken travels to China amid escalating tensions with the US

1. China seeks to assert its “trade and economic freedom” 
2. What is the status of Chinese support for Russia according to the US?
3. What accusations does China deny about its overproduction?
4. What stance has China taken on Taiwan that has generated so much disagreement with the US?

The US Secretary of State has landed in China for an emergency meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, to try to avoid an escalation in the conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, and between China itself and Taiwan.

According to the Guardian, Blinken arrived in China to “warn” that the US and its European allies would “no longer tolerate” China selling arms components and dual-use items to Russia. 

The US claimed that this aid would enable Vladimir Putin to modernise his arms factories and thus strengthen Russia’s offensive in Ukraine, Europe. 

US officials expect some of Blinken’s sessions with his Chinese counterparts to be “symbolic” as they provide a boost to the relationship, but believe the Chinese leadership will maintain stability in the coming years while addressing its economic problems. 

Instead, China’s Foreign Ministry has set five key objectives for the Asian giant to focus on during the visit, including solemn statements and requests on issues such as Taiwan, trade and technology restrictions, and the South China Sea issue.  

For Chinese diplomacy, a joint solution to these issues is key in order to “consolidate the current fragile understanding” between the two powers, to which Blinken referred in his statements. 

China seeks to assert its “trade and economic freedom” 

But while China has said it is “willing to engage in open dialogue and communication” with the US, belligerent language in state media has made it clear that some red lines cannot be crossed. “In recent years, relations have faced serious obstacles”.

“Let me emphasise again that China’s right to conduct normal trade and economic exchanges with Russia and other countries in the world on the basis of equality and mutual benefit must not be interfered with or disrupted,” Wang said.

State-run Xinhua news agency echoed these statements in its editorial saying that US policymakers should be criticised for making serious mistakes in recognising China as a long-term strategic competitor and “the biggest geopolitical challenge”.

In addition to geopolitical tensions, the US has accused China of not sufficiently curtailing production of chemicals used to make fentanyl and is prepared to take action against Chinese companies that threaten its security. For example, the US Congress passed an ultimatum for TikTok to sell its assets before it is banned in the country. 

What is the status of Chinese support for Russia according to the US?

Currently, Russia’s defence industrial base is underpinned by supplies from Chinese companies. This is part of Blinken’s agenda to pressure Moscow to end Chinese support for the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. 

“If China wants to maintain good relations with Europe and other countries, it cannot afford to pose the greatest threat to European security since the end of the Cold War,” Blinken said.

China is not sending weapons to Russia, but it signed an “unlimited” cooperation agreement with Moscow just days before the war, and US officials assumed that Asian companies could use the technology to support Russian hostilities without repercussions in European countries.

The US has begun to consider sanctions against the Bank of China, but rewards said the government source was not planned. From the point of view of the People’s Republic, the state protects the right to work with Russia and accuses the United States of active involvement in Ukraine by providing weapons and money. 

What accusations does China deny about its overproduction?

The US has accused China of overproducing in the new energy sector, exceeding China’s domestic demand and distorting global markets as Beijing’s “overcapacity” produces more than US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen can “sustain”.

Wang Wenbin, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, deputy director of the Foreign Ministry’s Information Department and a member of the Chinese Communist Party, expressed “strong opposition” and noted that “there is no solid basis for criticising excessive industrial potential”. The spokesman defended China’s energy production as “necessary” to “promote advanced green development”. 

What stance has China taken on Taiwan that has generated so much disagreement with the US?

The US Congress approved 8 billion dollars in aid to Taiwan to defend against threats of Chinese aggression. 

Before Blinken arrived in Shanghai, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office said the US decision was a “serious violation” of the country’s commitments to China and “sends the wrong message to those who support Taiwan independence”, which it strongly condemns.

Both sides should avoid provocative actions that could increase tensions and exercise restraint ahead of the inauguration of Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te. The US has strongly condemned China’s military exercises aimed at threatening Taiwan, despite the mainland power’s anger.

China-US relations are marked by a complex interplay of economic, political and security interests. Antony Blinken’s trip to China amid tensions over issues such as Taiwan and China’s relationship with Russia highlights the urgency of maintaining a constructive dialogue between the two powers. 

However, divergences over issues such as trade, security and human rights may hamper the stability of these relations. The consequences of a deterioration in Sino-American relations could have a significant global impact. It is crucial that both sides seek ways to resolve their differences diplomatically and constructively to avoid an escalation that could have adverse ramifications for the entire world.