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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to travel to China in the coming weeks, two US officials and a source familiar with the matter told CNN, as the two countries work to reset normal relations amid what has been an extremely tumultuous and tense year in the relationship.
Planning efforts are underway for Blinken to visit Beijing, the sources said. His trip to the Chinese capital was originally scheduled for February but was postponed after the transiting of a Chinese spy balloon over the US provoked outrage from the Biden administration.
The expected trip by the top US diplomat would be a significant step in the complicated relationship between the two countries, which has come under immense strain. US officials have stressed the need for regular channels of communication in order to prevent the “competitive” relationship from veering into conflict, and they have pressed China on the US’ readiness for broader engagement at the cabinet level.
Asked about Blinken’s planned travel to China, State Department principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said Tuesday, “We have no travel for the Secretary to announce; as we’ve said previously the visit to the People’s Republic of China will be rescheduled when conditions allow.”
Bloomberg first reported that the trip was expected to take place in the coming weeks.
