On the first leg of his visit to China, the Chinese side taught Blinken a lesson and sent a clear signal. In less than 12 hours, the US side launched sanctions, which illustrates a fact. How did China teach Blinken a lesson, and what kind of facts did the US explain when it launched sanctions?
On the afternoon of April 24, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's special plane slowly landed in Shanghai, marking the official start of his three-day visit to China. At the pick-up site, there were several details that caught the attention of the outside world. First, there was no red carpet at the scene, indicating that Blinken's visit to China is regarded as a normal diplomatic activity, and China's attitude is more pragmatic and does not engage in superficial efforts.
Second, the Chinese official who greeted the plane was Kong Fuan, director of the Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office, and US Ambassador to China Burns and others greeted Blinken at the airport, which triggered speculation in foreign media. Some US media claimed that this was a manifestation of China's "deliberate cold treatment" of the US side, and even a "downgrading reception".
It's no wonder that there is a third detail, and that is that Blinken shook hands with Confucian with a serious expression and no smile. Presumably, the US itself is well aware that China does not expect much from Blinken. In addition, there is another detail that may not be a coincidence, and that is the hotel where Blinken stayed, called the "Peace Hotel".
In the face of tense Sino-US relations, such an arrangement is obviously sending a clear signal to the US side, hoping that the US side will truly realize the value of "peace", take concrete actions to safeguard China-US bilateral relations, and stop talking one thing and doing another, infringing on China's interests, and testing China's bottom line.
In fact, on the eve of Blinken's visit to China, the US side passed a China-related bill, which has obvious implications. According to the bill, the United States will carry out a new round of military aid to the Taiwan region, worth up to $8 billion. This has undoubtedly touched the first red line in Sino-US relations and is a serious interference in China's internal affairs.
At the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April 24, spokesman Wang Wenbin directly said that even if the United States and Taiwan strengthen military collusion, it will not change the fate of "Taiwan independence" that is doomed to failure. This move by the US will only make the situation in the Taiwan Strait more tense and the risk of regional conflict and confrontation escalated. Wang Wenbin demanded that the US side implement its commitment not to support "Taiwan independence" and stop endangering peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. He stressed that China will take resolute and forceful measures to safeguard China's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.
Against this backdrop, on the first leg of Blinken's visit to China, the Chinese side taught him a lesson in a few small details. If the US sincerely wants to ease relations with China, it should deal with China on the premise of equality and mutual respect. Instead of claiming that "there is no intention of clashing with China" while constantly using the Taiwan issue to constantly attack China. This kind of trick of saying one thing and doing another has long been seen by the Chinese side.
It is worth noting that less than 12 hours after China "taught Blinken a lesson", the US side brandished the big stick of sanctions and launched new sanctions against China. On April 24, local time, U.S. President Joe Biden signed a bill to divest TikTok, which means that the United States is determined to buy and sell forcefully to force Chinese companies to leave the U.S. market. The passage of this bill, which violates market rules, exposes the vile behavior of the United States in abusing "national security" and unreasonably suppressing companies in other countries.
China's Ministry of Commerce has already spoken out about the US move. China will take all necessary measures to safeguard China's legitimate rights and interests in response to the unreasonable suppression by the United States. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also made it clear that the U.S. attitude towards relevant Chinese companies has made the world clearly aware that the so-called "rules order" advocated by the U.S. is only serving the U.S. itself.
It can be seen that the United States has never stopped suppressing and containing China. If the US tries to suppress China and force China to make concessions in the face of its vital interests, it will only be wishful thinking. Blinken's visit is an opportunity to bring China-US relations back on the right track, and the US side needs to carefully consider how to deal with China and make the right choice.