U.S. and Chinese diplomats are scheduled to meet on June 18.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to meet with Chinese officials in Beijing on June 18, finally touching base with the country after months of canceled meetings.
President Joe Biden says that he hopes the trip will help “thaw” the relationship between the U.S. and China, which has been significantly strained due to a number of recent events. The U.S. spotted a Chinese spy balloon flying over the country in February, causing Secretary Blinken to cancel his trip to China scheduled for that month. China also continues to assert its territorial claim over the South China Sea and has escalated its aggressive moves against U.S. allies in that area.
A spokesperson for China’s Washington Embassy did not comment about Secretary Blinken’s trip but referred to the meeting of President Biden and President Xi Jinping last November, saying, “China is open to having dialogue with the United States. We hope the U.S. will work in the same direction with China, and jointly implement the important common understandings between the two Presidents in their Bali meeting.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- That Secretary Blinken seeks God’s guidance as he prepares for the meeting in Beijing.
- For the U.S. secretary of state as he engages in diplomatic discussions.
- For U.S. officials as they seek peace with China as well as promote human rights.
Sources: Reuters, CNBC
