Blinken's visit first step in relaunching relations

President Xi Jinping meets with visiting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Beijing, capital of China, June 19, 2023. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken managed to have detailed meetings in Beijing last week with President Xi Jinping, senior diplomat Wang Yi and State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang to complete his long-expected visit to China, the first in his current capacity. As Xi told Blinken, the way forward is for the US to adopt a rational and pragmatic attitude to avoid major-country competition and to respect China's legitimate rights and interests in peaceful coexistence. It was convincingly conveyed that the US should stop hyping the "China threat" narrative, respect China's sovereignty over the island of Taiwan with deeds matching words, lift unilateral sanctions on China, stop moves toward decoupling with China regarding technology and development, and stop willfully interfering in China's internal affairs. Qin's remarks assure China's positive, productive and participatory approach toward the US, and carry on the Chinese principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.