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U.S. Secretary of State Blinken

Photo: WU HAO / EPA

For the first time since 2018, a US Secretary of State has visited China. According to Antony Blinken, both countries at least agree on the need to better cultivate the relationship.

"I think it's clear that both sides agree on the need to stabilize relations," he said at a press conference in London. "And we have identified specific areas where dialogue and cooperation could be beneficial for both of us and for other countries in the world."

The US Secretary of State had previously traveled to Beijing and was surprisingly received by President Xi Jinping. There are serious differences between the two countries – the world's largest economies. Blinken's trip and meetings with high-ranking Chinese officials are seen as an attempt to reopen channels of communication with Beijing.

Tensions between China and the U.S. exist primarily over the Taiwan issue. There is "no room for compromise" for China, the Chinese side said. The U.S. must be faithful to the one-China principle, honor its commitments to Beijing, respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and unequivocally reject Taiwan's independence. As early as 1979, the United States committed itself to Taiwan's defense capability, which until now has mostly meant arms deliveries.

Concerns about Chinese involvement in Cuba

China considers the democratic island republic to be part of the People's Republic and threatens to conquer it. A one-China policy is commonly understood to mean that Beijing is recognized as the only legitimate government. Taiwan, on the other hand, has had an independent government for more than seven decades and has long since given up its claim to represent all of China. With the one-China principle, Beijing is trying to isolate Taiwan internationally.

In London, Blinken also expressed concern about a possible Chinese involvement in Cuba. He would have great concerns if there were to be Chinese activities of a military or intelligence nature in the country, Blinken said. The Wall Street Journal had reported that China was planning a military training facility in Cuba, which has been under communist rule since 1959. However, U.S. authorities said the report was not accurate.

asc/Reuters/dpa