In meeting with Henry Kissinger, China’s leader, Xi Jinping, is turning to American contacts outside the Biden administration to try to influence Washington’s thinking on China.
Qin Gang has not made a public appearance in three weeks. The Communist Party’s habitual secrecy around top officials has fueled speculation over the reasons for his absence.
The talks between Antony J. Blinken, the secretary of state, and Wang Yi, Beijing’s top foreign policy official, were a prelude to a likely meeting with China’s leader, Xi Jinping.
China has pushed to set the terms of its re-engagement with the Biden administration, rebuffing a request for a defense meeting while urging Washington to drop sanctions.
Xi Jinping wants to insulate China from perceived threats from the West. He also wants to promote the country as deserving of foreign investment and clout. Can he do both?