Efforts Focus on Maintaining Open Channels and Managing Competition Amid Rising Tensions
STATE DEPARTMENT, May 30 (WARYATV) – In a bid to maintain open communication and prevent unintended conflict, Deputy U.S. Secretary of State Kurt Campbell is hosting China’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu in Washington this Thursday. These talks are part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to responsibly manage competition between the two nations.
The discussions began with a two-hour face-to-face meeting, followed by a working lunch at the State Department. In the afternoon, U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer will continue talks with Ma. This visit follows U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s trip to China in April, aimed at reinforcing open lines of communication.
“We continue to protect our interests and those of our allies, while using face-to-face diplomacy with China to communicate our positions and intentions clearly,” a State Department spokesperson said.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that Ma will also engage with various U.S. sectors during his visit, from May 30 to June 2. This engagement follows recent concerns voiced by Blinken over China’s support for Russia’s defense industry, with potential sanctions on the table.
Campbell reiterated these concerns during his visit to Brussels, emphasizing the need for a collective message from European and NATO countries regarding China’s destabilizing actions in Europe.
The timing of these talks is critical, coming just days after China’s large-scale military exercises around Taiwan, which involved 111 aircraft and 46 naval vessels. Washington has urged Beijing to exercise restraint and reaffirmed the importance of peace across the Taiwan Strait.
In related discussions, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for China and Taiwan Mark Lambert expressed deep concerns to PRC’s Director-General for Boundary and Ocean Affairs Hong Liang about the recent military drills in the Taiwan Strait.
