Summary:
- The U.S. will maintain a 'high level of engagement' with China.
- Wang Yi has been named as the replacement for the missing Chinese Foreign Minister.
- Specific details about the planned visit to Washington were not disclosed.
- The U.S. Secretary of State, Blinken, has had multiple meetings with Wang Yi in the past.
- The U.S. emphasizes the importance of keeping lines of communication open with China.
The United States has announced that it will continue to maintain a 'high level of engagement' with China, even after the People's Republic of China (PRC) replaced its missing foreign minister. Wang Yi, the predecessor of the missing minister, has been named as the replacement. The announcement comes amidst discussions about a planned visit to Washington by the Chinese Foreign Minister.
During a press conference, a spokesperson from the U.S. State Department addressed questions about the discussions between the U.S. and China regarding the planned visit to Washington. When asked if the visit was still being considered a visit of the Chinese Foreign Minister, regardless of who holds the position, the spokesperson emphasized that it is China's prerogative to decide who their foreign minister is. The U.S. Secretary of State, Blinken, has had multiple meetings with Wang Yi in the past, demonstrating ongoing engagement between the two nations.
While specific details about the potential travel were not disclosed, the spokesperson reiterated the importance of maintaining lines of communication between the U.S. and China. The international community expects both countries to engage in high-level dialogues, and the U.S. continues to uphold that expectation. The U.S. State Department has not received any specific communication from the Chinese regarding the change in foreign minister, and the spokesperson declined to speculate on the reasons behind the change.