Advertisement

Secretary of State Blinken still wants to visit China amid tensions between U.S., Beijing

WASHINGTON – The White House said Wednesday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken still wants to visit China after postponing a trip last month amid rising tensions with Beijing.

“We still want to get Secretary Blinken on a plane to China,” said John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council.

The U.S. also has been in discussions with Chinese officials about a possible trip to Beijing by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to discuss economic issues, Kirby said.

Blinken had been scheduled to visit China in February but postponed the trip after a Chinese surveillance balloon drifted over the U.S. in what the Biden administration described as a "clear violation" of sovereignty and international law.

The administration had said that Blinken would reschedule the trip when conditions are right.

Michael Collins covers the White House. Follow him on Twitter @mcollinsNEWS.

More: Secretary of State Blinken says China gave 'no apology' in Munich for spy balloon

More: Chinese spy balloon sought secret US communications signals, State Department says

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: U.S.-China: Blinken still wants to visit Beijing amid tensions