Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, reiterated the call for China to utilize its influence to persuade North Korea to halt its “dangerous” activities and resume dialogue. Blinken made these statements on Friday following separate meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong, and other officials in Beijing. His trip to Shanghai and Beijing, which took place from Wednesday to Friday, occurred amidst Washington’s efforts to manage the Sino-US relationship responsibly, despite escalating rivalry in technological leadership, maritime security, trade, and other areas.
“I encouraged China to use its influence to discourage Iran and its proxies from expanding the conflict in the Middle East, and to press Pyongyang to end its dangerous behaviour and engage in dialogue,” Blinken stated during a press conference. He also indicated that future high-level discussions would address these and other issues.
North Korea’s recent weapons tests, including a strategic cruise missile with a “super-large” warhead and an intermediate-range missile with a hypersonic warhead, have heightened tensions. Blinken reiterated America’s commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula during his discussions in Beijing.
Furthermore, Blinken expressed US concerns about China’s commercial support for Russia’s defense industry, which he asserted is fueling Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. He highlighted China’s role as a top supplier of critical materials to Russia’s defense industry and its impact on global markets.
Regarding trade practices, Blinken voiced concerns about China’s unfair practices and industrial overcapacity, particularly in industries crucial for the 21st-century economy. Both sides agreed on the importance of maintaining open communication and high-level diplomacy, as emphasized by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his meeting with Blinken. Jinping underscored principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and willing cooperation between the US and China. Blinken reaffirmed the US commitment to manage relations with China responsibly, in line with the agenda set during the Biden-Xi summit in November.
