In a lengthy speech at George Washington University on Thursday, the top US diplomat described the administration’s approach as “investing, aligning, competing” and said that while the United States is not looking for a conflict with China, are willing to defend their interests.
“We will invest in the foundations of our strength at home: our competitiveness, our innovation, our democracy. We will align our efforts with our network of allies and partners, acting with a common purpose and a common cause. Taking advantage of these two key assets, we will compete with China to defend our interests and build our vision for the future, “said Blinken.
The speech comes as the focus of the United States and the world community has focused on the Russian war in Ukraine.
Blinken stressed “Beijing’s defense of President Putin’s war to overthrow Ukraine’s sovereignty and secure a sphere of influence in Europe,” saying that “it should sound the alarm to all of us, who we call the region of The importance of focusing on the threats he said the Chinese government represents to the world, even as the war in Ukraine continues.
“China is the only country with the intention of reshaping the international order and, increasingly, the economic, diplomatic, military and technological power to do so,” Blinken said.
The approximately 40-minute speech by Blinken sought to emphasize the extent to which the Washington-Beijing relationship is “one of the most complex and consistent relationships we have in the world today.”
While outlining how the U.S. intends to address this relationship, he made clear distinctions between the two nations, describing things like China’s “repressive” government, unfair trade practices, and human rights abuses.
However, the top US diplomat also repeatedly stressed that the US does not seek to obstruct China as a world power or change its political system, nor do they seek a clash with it.
“We are not looking for a conflict or a new Cold War. On the contrary, we are determined to avoid both,” Blinken said.
He said the United States is ready to strengthen diplomacy and increase communication with China “through a full range of issues” and is willing to work together on issues of mutual interest such as climate change and Covid. 19, and noted that “even if we invest, align and compete, or together with Beijing, where our interests come together.”
“We cannot allow the disagreements that divide us to prevent us from advancing in the priorities that require us to work together for the good of our people and for the good of the world,” he said.
Blinken noted that “this is a busy time for the world.”
“And in times like these, diplomacy is vital,” said the top US diplomat. “It’s how we make our deep concerns clear, we better understand the perspective of others, and we have no doubt about the intentions of others.”
“We are ready to increase our direct communication with Beijing on a whole range of issues. And we hope this can happen,” he said.
New State Department team from China
As a means of trying to promote diplomacy, Blinken said he was determined to give the State Department the necessary tools, such as “building a ‘China House’, a department-wide team that will coordinate and implement our policy on issues and regions), working with Congress as needed. “
“We remain committed to intense diplomacy, along with intense competition,” he said.
However, Blinken also warned that “we cannot rely on Beijing to change its trajectory. Therefore, we will shape the strategic environment around Beijing to advance our vision of an open and inclusive international system.”
“We do not intend to block China from its role as a great power, or to prevent China – or any other country – from growing its economy or advancing the interests of its people. But we will defend and strengthen international law, agreements, principles and institutions that maintain peace and security, protect the rights of individuals and sovereign nations, and make it possible for all countries, including the United States and China, to coexist and cooperate, “Blinken said.
In Taiwan, the top US diplomat reiterated that US policy towards the island over which China claims sovereignty has not changed, despite comments by President Joe Biden last week that the US would respond militarily. if Beijing attacked Taiwan.
“We oppose any unilateral change to the status quo from either side. We do not support Taiwan’s independence and hope that the differences between the straits will be resolved peacefully,” Blinken said.
However, Blinken noted that “while our policy has not changed, what has changed is Beijing’s growing coercion, such as trying to sever Taiwan’s relations with countries around the world and prevent it from participating in organizations. and Beijing is engaged in increasingly provocative rhetoric and activity, such as flying PLA planes near Taiwan almost daily. “
“These words and actions are deeply destabilizing. They run the risk of miscalculations and threaten the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait. As we have seen in the President’s discussions with Indians’ allies and partners. Peacefully, maintaining peace and stability across the street is not just a US interest, it is a matter of international concern, fundamental to regional and global security and prosperity. “
The top US diplomat also stressed the importance of ensuring that, while tensions between Washington and Beijing remain high, anger is not concentrated on the people of China or those of Chinese descent in the US.
“We also know from our history that when we are managing a difficult relationship with another government, we can make people in this country or this heritage feel that they do not belong here or that they are our adversaries. Nothing could be farther from reality, “he said.
“Abusing someone of Chinese descent goes against everything we stand for as a country,” Blinken continued, noting that “the differences are between governments and systems, not between our people.”