3 years ago
Senior US and Chinese officials are scheduled to hold face-to-face talks next week. This is the first meeting between US and Chinese officials since US President Joe Biden became president.
China and the United States, world's two largest economies, have had strained relations for years. Relations between two countries have deteriorated under the administration of former US President Donald Trump.
White House and State Department have announced that Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan will meet on March 18 in Anchorage, Alaska, between State Councilor Wang Yi, a senior Chinese diplomat, and Yang Jiechi, Chinese Communist Party's foreign affairs chief.
Mr Blinken, who was attending congressional hearing for the first time on Wednesday, told lawmakers that it would be a good opportunity to discuss misunderstandings between two countries over human rights and trade in Tibet, Hong Kong and western Xinjiang, as well as corona virus epidemic.
North Korea and its nuclear weapons program could also be discussed.
Responding to a question from the lawmaker, Blinken also outlined Biden administration's approach to Iran, Cuba, Ethiopia, Russia and Venezuela.
Blinken said Biden administration was always ready to work closely with Congress on these burning international and US interests.
Before meeting with Chinese officials in Alaska, Secretary Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will hold talks with their Japanese and South Korean counterparts in Tokyo and Seoul.
In these meetings, the United States will take the initiative to further deepen and strengthen the traditional ties between the United States and Japan-South Korea.
President Biden is also holding virtual discussions with prime ministers of India, Japan and Australia this week on Indo-Pacific policy. "It's very simple," said Blinken, secretary of state for House Foreign Affairs Committee. On this occasion, we will openly present our interests to them.
