Tensions are running high as Biden cabinet officials prepare to meet with the Chinese in Alaska on Thursday, setting the stage for what is likely to be a contentious first high-level engagement between the new administration and Beijing.
Secretary of State Antony BlinkenAntony BlinkenThe Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Biden faces GOP’s immigration and filibuster offensive Overnight Defense: 50 House Democrats urge Biden to ‘significantly’ slash defense budget | Blinken, Austin put China on warning | Pentagon could extend Guard mission at border Poll finds Florida Cuban Americans opposed to engaging with Havana MORE and President BidenJoe BidenBiden and Congress must take bold action to prevent violent extremism The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Biden faces GOP’s immigration and filibuster offensive Democrats play defense on border crisis MORE’s national security adviser Jake SullivanJake SullivanMicrosoft breach ramps up pressure on Biden to tackle cyber vulnerabilities US should tell China: ‘Legal warfare’ against Taiwan will lead to real war More Americans than ever view China as greatest US enemy: Gallup MORE will huddle for the first time face-to-face with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi and top Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi in Anchorage in what Biden administration officials expect to be a “one-off” meeting.
In a move that is likely to rattle the Chinese, Blinken announced late Tuesday that the U.S. is sanctioning 24 Chinese officials over an overhaul of election laws earlier this month, accusing Beijing of an effort to “unilaterally undermine Hong Kong’s electoral system.”
The decision was a clear signal of the new administration’s plans to put pressure on China over actions it views as violations of international rules and norms, despite Beijing’s criticisms that Washington is interfering in its domestic affairs.
Blinken will also arrive in Alaska following his first trip abroad engaging U.S. allies Japan and South Korea, part of the administration’s strategy to approach the Chinese from a position of strength in lockstep with key allies in the region.
The trips to Tokyo and Seoul were the first face-to-face meetings for the administration. Defense Secretary Lloyd AustinLloyd AustinThe Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Biden faces GOP’s immigration and filibuster offensive Overnight Defense: 50 House Democrats urge Biden to ‘significantly’ slash defense budget | Blinken, Austin put China on warning | Pentagon could extend Guard mission at border GOP leader calls out House Democrat for troop ‘stunt’ MORE was also part of that delegation. Both Blinken and Austin criticized China for what they described as aggressive, coercive and destabilizing behavior in the region.
“The relationship with China is a very complex one: It has adversarial aspects; it has…
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