Blinken to visit China, UK

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Beijing, China and London, the United Kingdom from June 16-21, the Department of State announced Wednesday.

State Department Spokesperson Mathew Miller said in a statement that while in Beijing, Blinken will meet with senior Chinese officials where he will discuss “the importance of maintaining open lines of communication to responsibly manage the US-PRC (People?’s Republic of China) relationship.” The statement added that Blinken will also “raise bilateral issues of concern, global and regional matters and potential cooperation on shared transnational challenges.” In London, Blinken will attend the Ukraine Recovery Conference “to help mobilize international support from the public and private sector to help Ukraine recover from Russia?’s brutal and ongoing attacks.” While there, the US top diplomat will also meet with counterparts from the United Kingdom, Ukraine and other partners and allies, the statement noted.

Meanwhile, Miller said in a separate statement that Blinken spoke on Tuesday with China?’a State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang during which he discussed “the importance of maintaining open lines of communication to responsibly manage the US-PRC relationship to avoid miscalculation and conflict.” The statement added that Blinken also addressed “a range of bilateral and global issues and made clear the US would continue to use diplomatic engagements to raise areas of concern as well as areas of potential cooperation.” Blinken was scheduled to visit China earlier this year but the trip was postponed following the Chinese spy balloon incident.

Source: Kuwait News Agency