Xi and Blinken, Courteous Yet Firm

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met on Monday, during his visit to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), with Chinese Head of state Xi Jinping. The meeting spanned a significant 35min yet no results were made in the fragile bilateral relationship.
Meeting a US representative lower in status than China’s top leader symbolizes the Chinese courteous attitude, and extended hand. During this visit, the two rival countries tried to cover up the status of their already strained relation, but no substantial breakthrough was made.
Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed “progress” after shaking hands with Blinken in the Great Hall of the People, a stately location normally designated for greeting heads of state; however, he called on the US to respect China and its interests as the country is not trying to challenge or replace the Western power.
China declined to consider Washington’s request to reopen military-to-military contact lines, citing U.S. sanctions as an impediment, and allegations of spying via the “Spy Balloon Incident” last Feb.
The two sides looked set in their stances on everything from Taiwan to trade, including US moves on China’s chip sector, human rights, and Russia’s conflict with Ukraine.
Blinken stated that the US is deeply concerned about Chinese military actions in Cuba, following the Wall Street Journal’s story that Beijing was developing a new training center there.
Blinken reiterated that the US backed the status quo on the Taiwan issue and opposed steps toward Taiwanese independence.