U.S. and China Try to Rein In Tensions, Agree On Senior Engagements

Washington D.C./19.06.23/Turan:  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese leader discussed "a range of global and regional security issues, including Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the DPRK's provocative actions, and U.S. concerns with PRC intelligence activities in Cuba," the State Department said in a Monday readout, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

Blinken traveled to Beijing for meetings with President Xi Jinping, Director of the CCP Central Foreign Affairs Office Wang Yi, and State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang.

"The Secretary made clear that the United States will work with its allies and partners to advance our vision for a world that is free, open, and upholds the rules-based international order," Department's Spokesperson Matthew Miller noted in the readout.

The two sides had "candid, substantive, and constructive" discussions on key priorities in the bilateral relationship and on a range of global and regional issues, according to Miller.

"The Secretary emphasized the importance of maintaining open channels of communication across the full range of issues to reduce the risk of miscalculation. He made clear that while we will compete vigorously, the United States will responsibly manage that competition so that the relationship does not veer into conflict," reads the readout.

Blinken stressed that the U.S. would continue to use diplomacy to raise areas of concern as well as areas of potential cooperation where our interests align.  Both sides agreed on follow-on senior engagements in Washington and Beijing to continue open lines of communication, Miller noted.

Alex Raufoglu