During his visit to China, the U.S. Secretary of State engaged in discussions with local government officials in Shanghai. The Secretary discussed various local and regional issues with the Chinese Communist Party Secretary of Shanghai. Following these meetings, he is scheduled to address students and business leaders before heading to Beijing for anticipated talks with national officials, including the Foreign Minister.
The Secretary's visit comes on the heels of President Joe Biden signing a $95 billion foreign aid package, which includes provisions that are likely to provoke China. Notably, the package allocates $8 billion to counter China's actions towards Taiwan and in the South China Sea. Additionally, it aims to compel the sale of TikTok's China-based parent company, a move that China strongly opposes.
Despite China's objections to U.S. support for Taiwan and the TikTok sale, the Secretary's visit signifies a willingness on both sides to engage in dialogue. Emphasizing the importance of direct engagement, the Secretary highlighted the need to address differences responsibly for the benefit of both nations and the global community.
The Chinese officials echoed this sentiment, noting that recent high-level communications between the U.S. and China have contributed to the stable development of bilateral relations. They emphasized the impact of cooperation versus confrontation on the well-being of both countries and humanity at large.
During his time in Shanghai, the Secretary also attended a local basketball playoff game, underscoring the cultural exchange between the two nations. The game ended in a thrilling finish, with the home team narrowly losing in the final seconds.
