The top U.S. diplomat for East Asia, Daniel J. Kritenbrink, is set to travel to China on Sunday, accompanied by Sarah Beran, President Biden’s top China adviser on the National Security Council. This visit comes just days after President Biden met with the leaders of Japan and the Philippines in Washington as part of a broader diplomatic outreach in the region to counter China’s aggression.
The State Department announced that Kritenbrink and Beran will be in China until Tuesday, meeting with officials “as part of ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication and to responsibly manage competition.” This visit comes at a time of heightened tensions between China and the United States, particularly concerning China’s actions in the Indo-Pacific region.
During a three-day state visit by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan, which ended with a three-way summit with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines, the focus was on China’s moves in the South China Sea. The Philippines, in particular, has been facing intimidation from China in the region.
Enrique Manalo, the foreign secretary of the Philippines, expressed concerns about China’s escalation of harassment during a meeting at the State Department on Friday. The meeting was attended by top U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III.
The visit to China by Kritenbrink and Beran follows a recent trip by Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen, who returned from Beijing with little progress in economic discussions. President Biden reaffirmed America’s commitment to the defense of Japan and the Philippines during the recent meetings, emphasizing the importance of unity in countering regional challenges.
As tensions continue to rise in the region, the visit to China by U.S. officials signals a continued effort to engage with Beijing while also standing firm on key issues such as Taiwan and the defense of allies in the Indo-Pacific region. The outcome of these meetings could have significant implications for the future of U.S.-China relations and regional stability.
