Blinken's visit first step in relaunching relations

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken managed to have detailed meetings in Beijing last week with President Xi Jinping, senior diplomat Wang Yi and State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang to complete his long-expected visit to China, the first in his current capacity.

The meetings have been described as candid and constructive. However, the success of the meetings will largely depend on the upcoming behavior of the administration of US President Joe Biden toward China.

The Chinese leadership shared a holistic and comprehensive road map for further strengthening relations between the two countries. China urged the United States not to interfere in the domestic affairs of China and to respect its core interests and principles, which would be instrumental for mutual cooperation, coordination and collaboration in diverse areas including economy, investment, people-to-people exchanges and, last but not least, health and education.

As Xi told Blinken, the way forward is for the US to adopt a rational and pragmatic attitude to avoid major-country competition and to respect China's legitimate rights and interests in peaceful coexistence. Indeed, the whole world looks forward to the stable development of the relations between the globe's two largest economies.

It was observed that China-US relations have experienced their lowest point since being established decades ago, and this has hurt the core interests of the two peoples and failed the shared expectations of the international community. It is time for Washington to realize that the two countries' respective success is an opportunity for, and not a threat to, each other.

As shown by Wang — a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee — in his meeting with Blinken, the wrongdoings of the US causing distrust, disrespect and disorientation should be corrected, and the sooner the better.

It was convincingly conveyed that the US should stop hyping the "China threat" narrative, respect China's sovereignty over the island of Taiwan with deeds matching words, lift unilateral sanctions on China, stop moves toward decoupling with China regarding technology and development, and stop willfully interfering in China's internal affairs.

China's message is loud and clear that the further strengthening of bilateral ties requires cooperation rather than competition, coordination rather than contradiction, and collaboration rather than conflict between the two countries. This reflects China's peaceful persuasion to resolve conflicts, promote sustainable ties and foster the spirit of openness, transparency and connectivity for achieving a just world order.

The message also exhibits China's determination to protect core interests and principles regarding national sovereignty, national dignity, territorial integrity and the right to socioeconomic prosperity.

Reassurances from the two sides following consensus by the two heads of state on the Taiwan question is soothing for other countries. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin once again highlighted the one-China principle and the Chinese government's principled stance pertaining to its national pride, dignity and demands. The US should put its promises in the three China-US joint communiques into action and truly deliver on its commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence".

Qin shared the road map of the China-US future relationship based mainly on China's strong commitment to building a stable, sustainable and constructive relationship with the US on a reciprocal basis. Qin's remarks assure China's positive, productive and participatory approach toward the US, and carry on the Chinese principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.

China's moves to jointly work for stabilization and steer relations back to the right track are commendable and can de-escalate tension. Political positivity, professional diplomacy and states' ability to resolve conflict through a peaceful mechanism are the needs of the hour amid various challenges. That both sides agreed to maintain high-level contacts and interactions spread hope for stability and sustainability.

Moreover, the meetings highlighted Chinese wisdom regarding major-country diplomacy, political commitment and the visionary leadership's strong resolve to jointly work for a better and more secure world free from bloc mentality, Cold War psychology, economic exploitation and social coercion. It was a victory for diplomacy, dialogue, decency, determination and development.

It is a good omen that President Biden viewed the results of the visit as positive, and the US State Department described the visit in a statement as candid, substantive and constructive.

In this regard, the delayed visit by Blinken showed Washington's willingness to relaunch the candid relationship between the two countries. Returning the derailed bilateral relations to the right direction of cooperation rather than competition is auspicious for the people of both nations and for the rest of the world.

The Blinken visit to Beijing should be the first major step of the US toward political calmness and economic restoration, but further streamlining is needed, as well as systematizing and sensing of the importance of joint work for regional and global peace and stability.

Next, a US easing of its war machine in and around the Taiwan Strait, the lifting of unilateral sanctions against Chinese companies, a lessening of the trade war and discarding of propaganda about the "China threat" would be welcome gestures going forward.

The author is executive director of the Center for South Asia& International Studies in Islamabad, Pakistan.