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Blinken China policy speech postponed after he tests positive for COVID-19
"We'll find an alternative date just as soon as we can," State Department spokesman Ned Price told a regular news briefing after the department announced Blinken had tested positive for the virus.
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken smiles during a joint news conference with Senegalese Foreign Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dakar on November 20, 2021, as part of Blinken's five day trip to Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal. (AFP/Andrew Harnik)
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speech US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was due to deliver on Thursday outlining US policy towards China will be rescheduled after he tested positive for COVID-19, the State Department said on Wednesday.
"We'll find an alternative date just as soon as we can," State Department spokesman Ned Price told a regular news briefing after the department announced Blinken had tested positive for the virus.
More than a year after taking office, the administration of President Joe Biden has faced criticism from Republicans and others for lacking a formal strategy for dealing with China, the world's second-largest economy and Washington's main strategic rival.
Blinken tested positive Wednesday for COVID-19 and will shift to a virtual work schedule, the State Department said on Wednesday.
"The Secretary is fully vaccinated and boosted against the virus and is experiencing only mild symptoms," the department said in a statement.
"He looks forward to returning to the department and resuming his full duties and travels as soon as possible," the statement said, quoted by AFP.
Blinken has not seen President Joe Biden in person for several days and Biden is not considered a close contact, the State Department and White House said.
But Blinken earlier Wednesday met with Swedish Prime Minister Ann Linde at the State Department.
Blinken, who had tested negative a day before, took another test as he felt symptoms after meeting Linde, the State Department said.
Price said that all close contacts were being notified. Blinken also met Tuesday with Mexican Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard and delivered a speech at the State Department on Latin America policy.
Blinken was among guests who packed into a Washington hotel on Saturday evening for the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner.
Trevor Noah, the comedian who introduced Biden, joked about the gala dinner being a "super-spreader" event.
