Chinese foreign ministry ‘welcomes’ visit by US Secretary Blinken – Asia and Pacific

China welcomes a visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the country, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said at a regular news briefing on Tuesday.

“China welcomes Secretary of State Blinken’s visit to China. Both China and the United States are in communication now over the specific arrangements,” Wang Wenbin said, responding to a question on a US media report that Blinken is visiting China on Feb. 5.

“(China) also hopes the United States will adopt a correct view of China, uphold dialogue rather than confrontation, win-win rather than zero-sum (thinking),” Wang said. 

Politico reported that Blinken will meet in Beijing with his counterpart, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, on Feb. 5-6.

On Wednesday, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is scheduled meet with a top Chinese official to discuss the global economy and seek to deepen communications between their countries.

Yellen’s meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, to take place in Zurich, will be their first in-person encounter following three virtual meetings, the official said.

US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping had vowed during a November meeting in Bali, Indonesia to improve communications after years of sharp tensions over trade, human rights, Taiwan and other issues.