Blinken: US, China to increase contacts at highest level

On a positive note for trade, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken signalled there would be more contact between President Joe Biden and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping before he was forced to switch aircraft due to a technical issue.

Blinken’s comments on increased interaction between Biden and Xi suggest a further thawing in relations following agreements in San Francisco last year, Bloomberg reports.

“There’s no substitute for leader-to-leader engagement, especially when you’re dealing with China,” Blinken said. “And I imagine — I know — you’ll see more of that in the year ahead.”