China’s foreign ministry on Thursday extended a warm welcome to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s impending visit to China, against a backdrop of escalating tensions between the two nations. Blinken is scheduled to embark on a four-day journey to China starting April 23, aimed at engaging with senior Chinese officials amidst growing strains. The visit gains significance amid concerns over China’s alignment with Russia and its assertive actions in the South China Sea, highlighted by Politico.
During his visit, Blinken is anticipated to address various contentious issues, including U.S. apprehensions regarding Beijing’s support for Russia’s military endeavors in Ukraine. “China welcomes Secretary of State Blinken to visit China in the next few days,” affirmed Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian during a routine press briefing.
The visit by Blinken, representing the world’s second-largest economy, is viewed as an attempt to alleviate recent tensions, notably exacerbated after U.S. President Joe Biden’s call for substantial tariff hikes on Chinese metal exports. Emphasizing the importance of fair competition and adherence to WTO regulations, Lin underscored China’s stance against what it perceives as trade protectionism by the U.S.
Biden’s administration has proposed elevating tariffs on specific Chinese steel and aluminum products, originally imposed by his predecessor Donald Trump, to 25%. The intended tariff hike, affecting over $1 billion worth of goods, prompted Lin to affirm China’s commitment to safeguarding its legitimate interests through necessary measures.
