Exclusive | China-US relations: superpowers jostle for position of strength in planning senior official’s visit
- A proposed trip to Tianjin by US deputy secretary of state Wendy Sherman depends on guaranteed access to power and protocols being followed
- Negotiations could be complicated with Washington expected to impose new sanctions on Chinese officials and to warn US firms operating in Hong Kong
Sources said plans for Sherman, the second most senior official in the State Department, to visit China following her trips to East Asia were still on. The American side wants to ensure she has direct access to top decision makers, according to one of the sources familiar with the arrangement.
“The Chinese and American sides are currently discussing details of the meeting. The meeting is still on for now,” another source said.
The quibbling over details reflects Washington’s belief that it needs to come to the meeting on a strong footing with Beijing. While the Chinese side is making necessary preparations for the meeting to take place, the two sides would jointly announce her trip only when all details were finalised, the first source said.
To show China’s sincerity, Foreign Minister Wang Yi would also receive Sherman. But the American side wants Sherman to have greater access to President Xi Jinping’s inner circle.
