Blinken to visit China next week, discussions to include war in Ukraine

The trip is scheduled to last four days, during which Blinken will meet with senior Chinese officials amid growing tensions, including China's enduring support of Russia and Beijing's aggressive actions against the Philippines in the South China Sea.

Blinken is expected to express U.S. concerns that Beijing is assisting Russia in expanding its military industry for the war against Ukraine.

“China welcomes Secretary of State Blinken to visit China in the next few days,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said.

The visit was announced shortly after U.S. President Joe Biden proposed to raise tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum to up to 25% — a substantial hike in trade barriers erected by his predecessor, Donald Trump.

According to a U.S. official, the proposed tariff hike would affect over $1 billion worth of Chinese imports to the United States.