TAIPEI (TVBS News) — U.S. Secretary of State Blinken is scheduled to begin a three-day visit to China on Wednesday (April 24), with the primary goal of urging Beijing to refrain from acting provocatively during Taiwan's President-elect Lai Ching-te's inauguration.
Ambassador-at-Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy Nathaniel Fick, Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Todd Robinson, Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Elizabeth Allen, and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink—who just returned from China—all make up Blinken's delegation.
The U.S. Secretary of State is set to discuss drug prohibition cooperation, enhancing military exchanges, artificial intelligence (AI) risk and security discourse, and cultural exchanges between the two countries. In addition, he will reportedly raise U.S. concerns about human rights, unfair economic and trade practices, and China's excess industrial capacity.
Foreign media reports claim Blinken will put pressure on Beijing to curb its support for Russia and will reportedly issue a warning to Beijing, threatening to take harsh action if it continues to aid Moscow with weapons technology.
Ｍeanwhile, reports also indicate the U.S. is considering imposing penalties on Chinese financial institutions.
Apart from Beijing, Blinken is scheduled to visit Shanghai, where he is expected to have meetings with Wang Yi, the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs.
In reaction to Blinken's visit to China, the Chairperson of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), Laura Rosenberg, stated that maintaining open communication channels between the U.S. and China is crucial to prevent competition from escalating into conflict, especially in the sensitive issue of Taiwan.
Rosenberg emphasized that U.S. policy towards Taiwan remains unchanged, will continue to be consistent, and supports cross-strait dialogue to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.