Chongqing - The primary aim of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent visit to China was to reduce tensions and stabilize bilateral relations, in an exclusive interview with Bridging News on April 28, Bella Miao, a research associate at the Chongqing Academy of Social Sciences, provided insights on the visit.

Miao underscored the visit's objectives to enhance direct communication, manage differences, and explore cooperative opportunities between the two countries. She highlighted the critical role of clear information exchange and effective communication within the international community, stressing the need to maintain open official channels to minimize misunderstandings and conflicts.

Blinken's itinerary mixes official and cultural exchanges

Blinken's second visit to China within a year was marked by a distinct approach from his first. This time, Miao noted, Blinken began his journey in Shanghai before proceeding to Beijing.

Detailing Blinken's itinerary, Miao highlighted his engagements in Shanghai, which included official meetings with government officials, interactions with American business representatives, and discussions with students at New York University Shanghai.

Furthermore, Blinken engaged in various cultural activities, such as watching basketball games, browsing record stores, sampling steamed dumplings, and walking along the Bund in Shanghai.

Miao observed that this diverse itinerary balanced official meetings with economic, trade, and people-to-people exchanges, reflecting a multifaceted understanding of China.

During Blinken's visit to Beijing, discussions centered on reviewing progress in cooperation between the two countries and planning future joint initiatives, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence and increasing the number of American students studying in China.

The national flags of China and the U.S. (Photo/Xinhua)

"Sino-US relations are crucial yet complex."

During the interview, Miao emphasized the significant role of the upcoming 2024 U.S. presidential election, set for November 5, in influencing Sino-U.S. diplomatic relations. She noted that the period leading up to the election offers a chance to stabilize these relations.

"Sino-US relations are crucial yet complex," Miao stated. "The core of the strategic competition between China and the United States hinges on which nation can maintain a more stable, robust, and superior domestic development trajectory."

Miao underscored that the recent visit demonstrated both countries' strong commitment to preventing further decline in their bilateral relations. The primary goal of the visit was to encourage dialogue and avert further deterioration in ties.

Since the San Francisco summit, significant exchanges have occurred between China and the United States across various levels and sectors, with the two countries resuming communications and dialogues, as reported by Xinhua.

Although brief, each visit contributes incrementally to the relationship between the two countries. Miao expressed optimism that these improvements might lead to substantial progress in Sino-US relations.

Bella Miao, a research associate at the Chongqing Academy of Social Sciences. (Photo/Chongqing Academy of Social Sciences)