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Blinken will depart on April 23 for a four-day trip to China,
where he will meet with senior Chinese officials amid
heightening tensions, including over China's alignment with
Russia and aggressive moves against the Philippines in the South
China Sea, Politico reported.
Blinken is also expected to raise U.S. concerns that Beijing is
helping Russia build up its defense industry to fight the war in
Ukraine.
"China welcomes Secretary of State Blinken to visit China in the
next few days," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Lin
Jian, at a regular press briefing.
Blinken is visiting the world's second-largest economy to help
smooth over recent strains, most notably after U.S. President
Joe Biden on Wednesday called for sharply higher tariffs on
Chinese metal products.
"As a matter of principle, we have consistently demanded the
United States earnestly respect the principles of fair
competition, respect WTO rules, and immediately stop the trade
protectionist measures aimed at China," Lin said.
Biden aides said the U.S. president was proposing raising to 25%
tariffs imposed by his predecessor Donald Trump on certain
Chinese steel and aluminum products. The proposed higher tariff
rate would apply to more than $1 billion worth of steel and
aluminum products, a U.S. official said.
"China will take all necessary measures to protect its own
legitimate rights and interests," Lin said.
(Reporting by Eduardo Baptista; Writing by Bernard Orr; Editing
by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Tom Hogue)
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