Blinken to Meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday, Reports Reuters

By Kanishka Singh

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday in New York City, as confirmed by the U.S. State Department.

The relationship between the United States and China, the two largest economies in the world, has been strained due to various issues. These include U.S. export controls on advanced chip technology, trade tariffs, the situation in Taiwan, human rights concerns, and the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.

The meeting between Blinken and Wang is set to occur at 1:30 PM ET (5:30 PM GMT), coinciding with Wang’s visit to the U.S. for the United Nations General Assembly session. During this week, China has urged the U.S. to quickly eliminate additional tariffs imposed on Chinese goods.

The United States has raised concerns regarding China’s relationship with Russia, particularly following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, while China has expressed apprehension over U.S. support for Taiwan. Although Washington does not formally recognize the Taiwanese government, it remains its most significant international ally and arms supplier.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell remarked earlier this month that the challenges posed by China are more significant than those encountered during the Cold War.

The Biden administration has made it clear that it does not seek a cold war with China. However, analysts and members of Congress increasingly view the escalating competition between the two superpowers as reminiscent of a new form of cold war.

Despite the tensions, both countries have maintained channels of communication in recent months. The White House indicated last month that a conversation between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping is being planned in the near future.