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Will Blinken’s visit bring positivity to the Sino-US relations?
The postponement of Blinken's visit was a missed chance to bridge the gap and foster understanding between the two nations.
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi in New York City on Sept. 23, 2022. (AFP via Getty Images/David Dee Delgado/Pool)
L
ast month, when United States President Joe Biden predicted that a “thaw” in the Sino-American relationship would begin “very shortly”, many analysts dismissed it as just a “slip of the tongue” rather than serious rhetoric.
However, the confirmation by the Chinese foreign ministry about US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to China this weekend has sparked a renewed sense of optimism, indicating the potential for a resumption of positivity between the two sides.
Despite the prevailing atmosphere of extremism in American politics, envisioning a swift resurgence of rationality and normalcy in Washington's approach toward China has become increasingly challenging.
Yet, recent events, such as the joint visit of US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel J. Kritenbrink and Sarah Beran, White House National Security Council's senior director for China affairs –and now Blinken’s visit -offer a glimmer of hope that something positive is brewing. Such a change in perspective would certainly pave the way for a renewed phase of collaboration between the two global powers. Blinken’s visit signifies the emergence of pragmatism among American policymakers.
Regrettably, the grand tapestry of US diplomacy has been marred by incessant interference and intervention from the extreme China hawks in Washington, obscuring the prospects of a mutually beneficial relationship. In an unfortunate turn of events in February, the United States demonstrated its penchant for overreaction and unilateral actions. In response to the "unmanned civilian balloon incident", the US side decided to postpone Secretary Blinken's visit to China, thereby squandering a valuable opportunity for meaningful engagement and dialogue between the two nations.
This ill-considered decision not only aggravated the already abysmally low level of mutual trust but also exacerbated the deepening rift between China and the United States. The postponement of Blinken's visit was a missed chance to bridge the gap and foster understanding between the two nations. Instead, it served as yet another example of America's propensity for short-sighted and counterproductive actions. Subsequently, both the Group of Seven Summit in Hiroshima, Japan, and the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore were used by Washington as platforms to showcase its hostility towards China.
In Hiroshima, the US attempted to rally support for a collective response to what it labeled as China's "economic coercion", portraying it as a global challenge. Similarly, at the Shangri-La Dialogue, China's legitimate advocacy for safeguarding its sovereignty was unfairly depicted as a "threat" to regional peace and stability.
Meanwhile, the true threats to peace and stability, emanating from the US' containment measures against China, were conveniently overlooked, and painted as benign endeavors to maintain order. It is the Biden administration that has fueled more cynicism in the Sino-US relation by taking the initiative to create more opacity in the longstanding policy of "strategic ambiguity" concerning the Taiwan issue.
“It was established in the 1970s firmly, explicitly, unambiguously said that China, that Taiwan is part of China, but neither side will undertake provocative actions to change this situation. It's called strategic ambiguity. It's held the peace for 50 years, which is not inconsiderable in international affairs. China is still maintaining that position. the United States is abandoning it,” is how Noam Chomsky, a renowned American scholar, has commented in his interview with Pierce Morgan recently.
These actions by the United States reveal a disturbing pattern of antagonism toward China, driven by self-interest and a desire to maintain dominance in the region. Rather than engaging in constructive dialogue and seeking common ground, Washington continues to stick to a confrontational approach that risks escalating tensions and jeopardizing global stability.
Against this backdrop, the visit of Blinken to China must be taken very seriously because it presents a unique opportunity for constructive engagement. Admittedly, the US holds the key to shaping a positive atmosphere that fosters sincerity and goodwill. Through such proactive measures, this visit can transcend mere spectacle and evolve into a substantive endeavor, actively propelling the healthy and stable growth of China-US relations.
The focus must remain on substance rather than theatricality if this visit is to yield meaningful outcomes. Amid the stagnant state of China-US relations, a breakthrough lies within strengthened communication and the resolution of numerous pressing issues. It is crucial, however, to acknowledge that the agenda for discussions cannot be unilaterally determined by the US.
The Chinese side has a long list of grievances. The seriousness and accountability with which the US addresses these infractions will determine its commitment to constructive engagement and provide the Chinese side with the explanations it rightfully seeks.
On the question of Taiwan, China's resolute commitment to upholding national unity and territorial integrity is unequivocal, underscored by its unwavering stance and clearly defined red lines. So, it is crucial for both nations to prioritize rebuilding trust and finding common ground in order to navigate the complex challenges that lie ahead.
We hope to achieve a more harmonious and stable global order through sincere and meaningful cooperation. The persistent hijacking of the foreign policy agenda by fervent ideologues has hindered the prospects of a harmonious trajectory in Sino-American relations.
Constructive engagement, rather than antagonism, holds the key to a future where both nations can harness their collective strengths for the betterment of the world. The time has come for the US to transcend the suffocating grip of ideological entrapment and forge a new path that fosters understanding, cooperation, and shared prosperity with China.
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The writer is a Karachi-based international affairs analyst.
