Xi says China, US ‘made progress’ in Blinken visit

HOPES FOR A NEW SUMMIT

Xi met Biden last November in Bali on the sidelines of a Group of 20 (G20) summit, raising cautious hopes for a thaw.

Blinken abruptly shelved his trip, which was agreed in Bali, in February after the United States said it detected – and later shot down – a Chinese spy balloon hovering over the US mainland.

Biden on Saturday said he did not believe that the Chinese leadership was aware of the balloon – suggesting a disconnect with the military, which has been less eager to restore contacts with the United States.

Biden has kept Trump’s hard line on China and in some areas gone further, including banning exports of high-end semiconductors to the rising power.

But Biden has also voiced hope for limited cooperation in areas such as climate and has voiced hope for a new in-person meeting with Xi.

The next opportunity is expected in September when Biden and Xi are both expected in New Delhi for the latest G20 summit.

Xi has also been invited to San Francisco in November as the United States leads the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

A senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Blinken’s discussions with officials have gone beyond the usual talking points.

“This was a real conversation,” he said of the Sunday meeting with Qin Gang, the foreign minister.