Route to better US-China ties is a ‘two-way street’, senior American diplomat Daniel Kritenbrink says

Blinken “clearly and forcefully” explained American policy during meetings with President Xi Jinping and other top Chinese officials.

Chinese cabinet members, including Foreign Minister Qin Gang, were expected to visit the US too, Kritenbrink said.

But after meeting Xi, Blinken said China was not ready to resume military-to-military contacts, something the US considers crucial to avoid miscalculation and conflict, particularly over Taiwan. Kritenbrink said Washington would continue to work towards establishing such links.

The Chinese foreign ministry said at the time that the US was “clear about the reason why China-US military dialogue faces difficulties”.

“The US should earnestly respect China’s sovereignty, security and interest concerns, immediately correct wrong practices, show sincerity and create necessary atmosphere and conditions for dialogue and communication between Chinese and US militaries,” spokeswoman Mao Ning.

Trade has been another major source of tension between the two countries, with a raft US tariffs, export bans and investment curbs imposed and exclusive trading blocs formed in recent years.

On Tuesday, Kritenbrink also rejected suggestions that Washington was trying to decouple from China.

“There is no decoupling strategy but America will of course pursue a de-risking strategy, but given the nearly US$7 billion in annual trade flows and the fact that US investment in China is at its highest level since 2014, I think it’s quite clear what our approach is and is not,” he said.

Kritenbrink said the US would compete with China vigorously, but would responsibly manage that competition.