Washington’s concerns from Taiwan to the support of Russia’s military sector

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Saturday for an hour and 20 minutes on the sidelines of a regional summit in Laos, on the sixth They discussed their meeting in June 2023, when Blinken visited Beijing as a sign of improving strained relations between the world’s two largest economies.

Blinken, who has previously criticized China for escalating maritime tensions with the Philippines, has spoken extensively with Wang Yi about the “provocative” actions, a senior US State Department official told reporters on Saturday local time. Beijing recently discussed around Taiwan.

The official said the measures included a simulated blockade during the inauguration of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te.

According to the official, Blinken and Wang agreed to continue to improve their countries’ military ties, but did not discuss nuclear arms control talks that China has suspended in protest over Washington’s provision of arms to Taiwan.

The official told reporters traveling with Blinken: “In any conversation, Taiwan is the most important issue. Beijing considers Taiwan an internal Chinese issue.”

This official said that the US and Chinese foreign ministers did not set a date for their next meeting.

Blinken is traveling to East Asia to reassure countries close to China of America’s commitment despite political uncertainty at home.

After this meeting, he traveled to Vietnam on Saturday and was supposed to hold security talks in Japan and the Philippines in the coming days with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

The official added that Blinken told Wang that US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris both believe in the importance of stability in US-China relations and that a rules-based order should be maintained.

>

According to the official, Blinken also discussed China’s support for Russia’s military-industrial base and warned of further US action if China does not limit that support.