TikTok, Taiwan, Russia: There are many sources of conflict between China and the USA. The US Secretary of State is now calling for prudence.
During his visit to China, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for the US and China to “handle their differences responsibly”. Both countries have “an obligation” to their respective people and the world to conduct their relations “responsibly,” said Blinken on Thursday at the start of his visit to China in Shanghai at a meeting with the local head of the Communist Party.
After his stay in Shanghai, Blinken traveled to Beijing. He later met with leading scientists in the Chinese capital, initially behind closed doors. Talks with representatives of the political leadership of the People’s Republic are planned for Friday. A meeting with President Xi Jinping was not initially on the agenda. However, during Blinken’s visit to China in June, a meeting with Xi was announced at the last minute.
Blinken’s basketball game in China
In Shanghai, Blinken initially had the opportunity for more harmonious tones: the US Secretary of State met business representatives and students, attended a basketball game and strolled along the famous Bund waterfront promenade. In contrast, in Beijing he is expected to address conflictual issues such as Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the Taiwan issue and trade.
China plays a key role in the Ukraine conflict due to its close relations with Russia. Most recently, Blinken accused China of indirectly fueling the war in Ukraine through exports to Russia. Beijing is the main supplier of components for the Russian defense industry, Blinken said last week after a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Italy. If China wants friendly relations with the West, the country cannot support a system that represents “the greatest threat to European security since the Cold War,” Blinken said in Italy.
USA accuses Beijing of “unfair practices”.
The Taiwan issue is also causing tensions between Washington and Beijing – especially after the approval of further US military aid for the island claimed by China. The USA does not support independence for Taiwan, but rejects forceful incorporation by China. Beijing had threatened to unify Taiwan with the mainland using military force if necessary.
The USA also accuses Beijing of “unfair practices” in industrial development. Among other things, Washington accuses the Chinese leadership of spying on users in the USA via the online service TikTok. The US Congress approved a law on Tuesday that would force TikTok to break away from Chinese parent company Bytedance.
