Xi Jinping Meets Antony Blinken in Beijing, Marking 45 Years of China-US Relations

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Beijing on April 26, 2024, marking the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the United States. The meeting focused on highlighting partnership, cooperation, and mutual respect between the two nations.

During the meeting, Xi stressed that China and the U.S. should be partners rather than rivals, and should seek common ground while reserving differences. He proposed three overarching principles for the relationship: mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation. Xi expressed China's willingness to cooperate with the U.S., but stated that cooperation should be a two-way street and that competition should lead to mutual progress.

Blinken conveyed President Biden's greetings and reiterated that the U.S. does not seek a new Cold War, change China's system, suppress China's development, or have a conflict with China. The U.S. aims to maintain communication, follow through on the agreements reached by the two presidents, seek more cooperation, and responsibly manage differences to achieve stable development of U.S.-China relations.

Why this matters: The meeting between Xi and Blinken comes at a critical time for China-U.S. relations, as the two countries navigate a complex and often tense relationship. The emphasis on partnership, cooperation, and mutual respect underscores the importance of maintaining open lines of communication and finding common ground on global issues.

Both sides acknowledged the persistent and deepening divisions in the relationship, with the Chinese Foreign Minister warning that the relationship is facing "all kinds of disruptions" and questioning whether the two countries can move forward with stability or return to a "downward spiral." Despite the challenges, Xi and Blinken agreed to continue efforts to stabilize and develop China-U.S. relations, including through high-level exchanges, government-to-government dialogues, and expanding cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

The talks also covered contentious issues such as China's support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, tensions over Taiwan and the South China Sea, human rights concerns, and the production and export of synthetic opioid precursors. Blinken stressed the importance of maintaining open lines of communication to avoid miscommunications and miscalculations, while also defending U.S. core interests and values.

The meeting between Xi and Blinken marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to stabilize and improve China-U.S. relations. As the two major players in the Indo-Pacific region, the state of their relationship has far-reaching implications for global stability and prosperity. The commitment to dialogue and cooperation expressed by both sides offers hope for a more constructive and mutually beneficial relationship in the future, even as

Key Takeaways

• Xi and Blinken met in Beijing, marking 45 years of China-US diplomatic ties.
• Xi stressed China and US should be partners, not rivals, and seek common ground.
• Blinken reiterated US does not seek a new Cold War or conflict with China.
• Meeting addressed contentious issues like Ukraine, Taiwan, and human rights concerns.
• Both sides committed to dialogue and cooperation to stabilize China-US relations.