Blinken Says China Most Serious Long-term Challenge

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called China the “most serious long-term challenge to the international order” amid the Russian war in Ukraine.

“China is the only country with both the intent to reshape the international order and, increasingly, the economic, diplomatic, military and technological power to do it,” Blinken said in a speech at George Washington University on Thursday.

“Beijing’s vision would move us away from the universal values that have sustained so much of the world’s progress over the past 75 years,” Blinken added.

During his speech, the Secretary of State outlined the Biden administration’s policy toward China, reiterating that the U.S. remains committed to a “One China” policy, a diplomatic agreement that there is only one Chinese government but allows the U.S. to maintain an unofficial relationship with Taiwan.

“We do not support Taiwan independence, and we expect cross-strait differences to be resolved by peaceful means,” he said. “Our policy has not changed. What has changed is Beijing’s growing coercion, like trying to cut off Taiwan’s relations with countries around the world and blocking it from participating in international organizations.”

In the same vein, Blinken indicated that the U.S. will have to compete with China on multiple fronts but took steps to avoid ratcheting up tensions between the countries.

“We will align our efforts with our network of allies and partners acting with a common purpose and common cause and harnessing these two key assets,” he affirmed. “We will compete with China to defend our interests and our vision for the future.”