Blinken's Surprise Meeting with Xi

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken concluded his visit to Beijing with an unexpected meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. During the 35-minute meeting, Xi emphasized the need for a stable relationship between the two nations, stating that it has an impact on the future and destiny of humanity. Blinken agreed on the importance of stabilizing bilateral relations and expressed hope for better communication between the U.S. and China. The visit, which marked the highest-level U.S. official visit to China since President Biden took office, may set the stage for a meeting between Biden and Xi in November. The discussions between Blinken and senior Chinese officials focused on open communication channels and managing competition to avoid conflict. This visit occurred amid visits by other business leaders, such as Elon Musk, Jamie Dimon, and Tim Cook, to China, highlighting ongoing engagement between the two countries.