Editorial | Results from Blinken visit the best world can expect for now

To stabilise their relations, China and the United States must first arrest a downward spiral. That may turn out to be the achievement of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s talks with Chinese leaders in Beijing. It was unrealistic to expect any more just now. The negative fundamentals of the relationship remain the same. Both sides described Blinken’s talks with Foreign Minister Qin Gang and top diplomat Wang Yi as “candid” – meaning very frank. But they paved the way for a meeting between Blinken and President Xi Jinping, which did no harm to hopes for a Xi- Joe Biden summit.

Along with Qin’s acceptance of an invitation to Washington, that suggests the two sides found some common ground – particularly the need for more stable ties and to reduce the risk of military conflict. In that context Xi’s remarks to Blinken may be seen as firm but conciliatory. Stable China-US ties are critical for world peace. Chinese have just as much right as Americans to pursue their dreams and development. But Xi also says China has no intention or design to replace the US as the world leader.

There remains a sense that the US wanted this visit more than China. They did, after all, postpone it in the drama over the shooting down of an alleged Chinese spy balloon in February. That said, the abiding US concern behind redoubled attempts to mend relations is the risk of a dangerous miscalculation or misunderstanding in the run-up to Taiwan’s presidential election early next year.

Washington is therefore eager to resume military-to-military talks. But Beijing is reluctant to agree while the US maintains sanctions against its defence minister and carries out provocative military operations. China has shown it is willing to engage with the US but wants to see more concrete steps and evidence of sincere intent. Indeed, Xi reminded Blinken that the two sides still need to act on agreements reached between Biden and himself earlier.

So the prospects of a Xi-Biden summit largely depend on US actions in the coming months. It does not look too hopeful, given that domestic political pressures will not give the Biden administration much room to change a hardline China policy. Congress is extremely hostile towards China at present. With a presidential election campaign looming, there are doubts as to how Biden can soften China policy.