Blinken’s India visit in contrast to his deputy’s China trip, offers great clarity on ties

The US administration made it apparent that Sherman’s visit to China is part of the ongoing efforts to normalize relations with Beijing. The Deputy Secretary’s office clearly indicated that the discussions comprise the US’ willingness to hold “candid exchanges with PRC officials to advance U.S. interests and values and to responsibly manage the relationship.” Sherman’s to-do list also included discussions on areas where the US had serious concerns about China’s actions, as well as areas where US-China interests align.
The US acknowledged that much of what it has done in the initial months of the Joe Biden administration has been primarily to test the various propositions and options in dealing with China. President Biden had spoken to President Xi Jinping on broader issues, leaving the thorny ones to his aides. US National Security Advisor (NSA) Jacob Sullivan had met with the Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, Yang Jiechi, and other senior People’s Republic of China (PRC) officials. Blinken too had spoken to Jiechi and stressed that the US will continue to stand up for human rights and democratic values, including in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong.