High-Stakes Diplomacy: Blinken Meets Chinese Counterpart Amid Rising Tensions

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New York City. This meeting occurs against a backdrop of elevated tensions over technology exports, tariffs, Taiwan, and geopolitical conflicts in regions like Gaza and Ukraine.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New York City on Friday, as confirmed by the U.S. State Department. The meeting coincides with elevated tensions between the two economic giants, stemming from disputes over technology exports, trade tariffs, Taiwan, human rights, and ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.

According to the State Department, the diplomatic engagement between Blinken and Wang will take place at 1330 ET (1730 GMT). Wang Yi is in the U.S. to attend the United Nations General Assembly session. This week, China urged the U.S. to swiftly remove all added tariffs on Chinese products.

The United States has raised concerns regarding China's relationship with Russia since the invasion of Ukraine, while China has shown apprehensions about U.S. ties to Taiwan. Despite not formally recognizing Taiwan's government, the U.S. remains its key international supporter and arms supplier. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell has said the challenges posed by China exceed those of the Cold War era. President Biden's administration insists it is not seeking a cold war but analysts argue the escalating competition mirrors one.

Lines of communication have remained open between the two countries. The White House mentioned last month that a call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Biden is being planned soon.

(With inputs from agencies.)