Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister’s US visit to conclude

Chinese vice foreign minister Ma Zhaouxu will conclude his visit to the United States today.

Zhaouxu has been in Washington since May 30th to participate in a series of talks with US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt M. Campbell. The two primarily discussed tensions in the South China sea and trade practices. This dialogue comes after the Chinese military carried out drills around Taiwan, and after US President Joe Biden announced trade tariffs of Chinese products such as steel and electric vehicles.

These negotiations will likely result in verbal commitments between Washington and Beijing, but the current geopolitical climate will make it difficult for progressive actions to be carried out improve relations between the two powers. China has tightened its relationship with Russia in recent months, causing US officials to blame China for aiding Russia in its war with Ukraine. This has added to the cause for the US to enact the recent trade tariffs, which have hurt the relationship. These instances reflect how that heightened tensions across the globe have restricted the ability of the two powers to continue to grow their relationship. While symbolic diplomatic victories will likely occur during these consultations, it can be expected that the larger conflicts will remain unchanged.