Antony Blinken arrived in China on Sunday for high-stakes talks aimed at defusing tensions between two of the world's most powerful nations.
Secretary Blinken becomes the highest ranking US official to visit China since President Joe Biden took office, and is the first Secretary of State to make the trip in five years.
However, experts and US officials have sought to downplay the chances of a major breakthrough in relations, with ties becoming increasingly strained over the past few years. This may also include discussions about Taiwan - which China claims as its territory and has not ruled out taking by force - after large scale Chinese military drills twice occurred this year in reaction to meetings between US and Taiwanese officials.
The US took the step out of concerns for the potential military applications and to curb China's ability to acquire cutting edge technology. He added the Secretary of State needed to give up the illusion America was negotiating from"a position of strength," hinting at the increasing confidence China has in its own power and influence on the world stage.
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