Blinken Confronts China on Taiwan, Russia Support, and Human Rights

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, expressing concerns about Taiwan, Russia, and human rights. They discussed military-to-military ties and China's stance toward Taiwan. Blinken warned of U.S. actions against China's support of Russia and raised human rights issues in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Tibet.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated Washington's concerns over Beijing's actions toward Taiwan and its support for Russia's war in Ukraine as he met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Saturday.

Blinken, who earlier called out China for escalating maritime tensions with the Philippines, talked extensively with Wang about Taiwan and Beijing's recent "provocative" actions toward the democratically governed island, a senior U.S. State Department official said. Those actions included a simulated blockade during the inauguration of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te.

The two agreed to keep making progress on their countries' military-to-military ties, sidestepping nuclear arms control talks which China has halted over U.S. arms support to Taiwan. Blinken raised U.S. concerns over human rights and warned of further actions if China continues supporting Russia's defense industrial base.