US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with China’s President Xi Jinping, marking a restart of high-level communications between the two rival superpowers. While both leaders acknowledged progress and the need to stabilize the relationship, Blinken emphasized the existence of major differences and the importance of sustained communication to manage them responsibly.

Relations between Beijing and Washington have deteriorated in recent years due to trade disputes, Taiwan’s status, and other contentious issues. Despite the challenges, Xi suggested that relations could be moving in a positive direction. The meeting was seen as a successful re-engagement between the US and Chinese governments and an important channel of communication going forward.