2023-06-02 21:03:33
Despite strong tensions in the bilateral relationship, channels of discussion remain open between Washington and Beijing: the director of the CIAWilliam Burns, visited last month in Chine to meet with his Chinese counterparts there, said an American official on Friday, June 2, confirming information from the Financial Times.
William Burns, who has a long career as a diplomat behind him and has made dozens of sensitive trips abroad, in particular for discussions with Russia or the Taliban, before being appointed in 2021 to head the CIA by Joe Biden, stressed on this occasion the importance of “maintaining open communication links in intelligence channels”, said this official.
Open policy
The CIA, which rarely communicates on such visits, did not respond to requests for comment. Despite the strong tensions between Washington and Beijing on a number of issues such as Taiwan or the Uyghurs, the administration of Joe Biden is seeking to expand its contacts with China, despite the skepticism of some about the gains of such a policy. ‘opening.
Since the cancellation last February of a trip to China by Secretary of State Antony Blink due to the overflight of American territory by a chinese spy balloonthe White House says it is working to organize a new trip, as well as visits from Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin shook hands with Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu on Friday on the sidelines of a security summit in Singapore, but the two men had no “exchange”. background” on security, the Pentagon said.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan also said on Friday that the UNITED STATES were ready to engage in an unconditional dialogue with China on nuclear arms control, but that Beijing was still unwilling to “compartmentalize strategic stability with broader issues in the relationship” between the two powers.
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