Blinken to Seek to ‘Responsibly Manage’ Tense Ties on Rare China Trip

News Snapshot:

Secretary of State Antony Blinken will seek to reduce the chances of miscalculation on a rare visit to Beijing, officials said, but both sides expect long-term tensions to fester. The State Department confirmed that Blinken will travel this weekend to Beijing on the first trip by a top US diplomat in nearly five years, rescheduling a visit that was scrapped in February as the United States said it detected a Chinese spy balloon. Ahead of the trip, Blinken spoke by telephone with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang and stressed “the importance of maintaining open lines of communication to responsibly manage"...