US-China Diplomacy: Blinken’s Shanghai Visit Underscores Cultural Ties Amidst Global Challenges

US-China Diplomacy

Blinken’s second visit to China, the Shanghai trip highlights cultural ties

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE— U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is emphasizing the importance of direct engagement with China during his second trip to the country, focusing on strengthening people-to-people ties and addressing key issues affecting both nations and the world. Despite this diplomatic effort, the United States has warned China against supporting Russia in the war in Ukraine, threatening sanctions against Chinese entities facilitating transfers to the Russian defense industry.

Additionally, Chinese companies have been a major source of precursor chemicals for illegal fentanyl production in the U.S., prompting Beijing to take steps to restrict the flow of these materials. While progress has been made in these areas, the U.S. State Department advises caution when traveling to China, Hong Kong, and Macau due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws and risks of wrongful detention. The possibility of easing the travel warning from Level 3 to Level 2 is currently being evaluated, with concerns raised about detention and national security laws.

Key Concepts

• U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasizes direct engagement with China.
• Blinken focuses on strengthening people-to-people ties and addressing key issues.
• The U.S. warns China against supporting Russia in the war in Ukraine.
• Chinese companies have been a major source of precursor chemicals for illegal fentanyl in the U.S.
• Beijing has taken steps to restrict the flow of fentanyl precursors and equipment.
• The U.S. advises caution when traveling to China, Hong Kong, and Macau.
• The State Department is evaluating the possibility of easing the China travel warning.
• Concerns have been expressed about detention, exit bans, and national security laws in China.
• Ensuring the safety of U.S. citizens traveling abroad is a top priority for the U.S. government.
• Chinese officials criticize the travel warning as unreasonable and hindering people-to-people exchanges.

While Washington and Beijing disagree on a range of thorny issues, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is focusing above all on the importance of direct engagement as he embarks on his second trip to China this week. He said this is crucial to solving key issues affecting the people of both countries and the world.

People-to-People Ties

Blinken watched the playoff match between the Shanghai Sharks and Zhejiang Golden Bulls of the Chinese Basketball Association in a relaxed atmosphere on Wednesday (April 24), a move aimed at strengthening people-to-people ties between the two countries.

Earlier, a crowd watched as the U.S. delegation’s motorcade left the hotel and headed to a local restaurant, Nanxiang Steamed Bun Shop. As Blinken sat at a table in the restaurant on the gallery overlooking the courtyard, some gathered to watch.

Blinken said on social media that his “intensive face-to-face diplomacy” with officials from the People’s Republic of China was part of “ongoing, direct engagement” that was “critical to making progress on the issues that matter most to the American people and the world.”

Chinese officials said in Beijing that Blinken’s visit to China is part of China and the United States’ implementation of the two countries’ efforts to maintain dialogue, manage differences, advance cooperation, and strengthen coordination on international affairs.

Sanctions on some Chinese banks are possible

The United States has warned China not to support Russia in the war in Ukraine, while Chinese companies directly supply key components to the Russian defense industry. This month, the foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) countries jointly called on China to stop the transfer of dual-use materials and weapons parts that assist Russia’s military production.

A senior US State Department official told the media that the United States is “ready to take measures if necessary” against Chinese companies that “seriously undermine the security of Ukraine and Europe.” But he declined to give any details about possible further U.S. sanctions.

What is clear is that the United States is considering sanctions against Chinese banks that facilitated the transfer of these materials.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Washington stands ready to impose sanctions on Chinese banks, companies, and leaders in Beijing if they help Russian troops invade Ukraine.

Chinese officials dismissed Washington’s concerns.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a press conference this week: “We firmly oppose the hypocritical practice of the United States to add fuel to the fire while blaming China. China has normal economic and trade exchanges with countries including Russia. Our rights are inviolable, and we will firmly defend our legitimate rights and interests.”

Anti-Drug

Chinese companies remain the largest source of precursor chemicals used to manufacture the illegal fentanyl that affects the United States.

Beijing moved to restrict the flow of fentanyl precursors and equipment after U.S. President Joe Biden held face-to-face talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Woodside, California, in November.

The U.S. State Department said that for the first time in nearly three years, China submitted information related to 145 incidents to the International Narcotics Control Board’s global IONICS database, which supports coordinated global law enforcement efforts to disrupt illicit synthetic drug supply chains.

While China’s initial actions were a positive step, Washington stressed the need for continued progress.

The State Department said China could strengthen coordination with the United States and other international partners, including sharing law enforcement information, regularly providing information to an international database that tracks synthetic drug threats, and monitoring emerging trends.

Level 3 Travel Warning: Reconsider Travel to China

Despite an increase in commercial flights between the United States and China, the U.S. government advises Americans to reconsider travel to China due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including related to exit bans law, and the risk of wrongful detention.

The State Department also advises Americans to exercise greater caution when traveling to Hong Kong and Macau due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws.

A senior State Department official downplayed the possibility of an immediate easing of the warning and lowering the China travel warning from Level 3 to Level 2.

“Of course, we will re-evaluate and adjust as appropriate. But realistically, it’s a pretty rigorous process,” the official said during a recent briefing.

The senior official said Washington has expressed concerns to Chinese officials about specific cases of detention and exit bans, as well as the opaque and arbitrary application of certain national security laws.

“Ensuring the safety of U.S. citizens traveling abroad” is one of the U.S. government’s most important responsibilities, the official said.

In Beijing, Chinese officials criticized the U.S. State Department’s travel warning, calling it “completely unreasonable” and a “stumbling block” to people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. They urged the United States to change the warning level “as soon as possible”.