Antony Blinken describes China as the greatest international challenge in the long term

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Antony Blink

Photo: Carolyn Kaster / dpa

Despite the acute crisis caused by the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the US government sees China as the greatest challenge to the international order in the long term.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a speech in Washington on Thursday: "Even if President Putin's war continues, we will continue to focus on the greatest long-term challenge to the international order - and that emanates from the People's Republic of China".

China is the only country "that has both the intention to transform the international order and, increasingly, the economic, diplomatic, military and technological power to do so."

Blinken delivered a keynote speech on the US government's China policy.

The government of US President Joe Biden struck a tough stance on Beijing from the start and gave China a prominent position in its foreign policy – ​​as the United States’ biggest competitor.

The US and China are the two largest economies in the world.

»We are not looking for a conflict or a new Cold War«

The US chief diplomat again emphasized on Thursday that China plays a key role in the global economy and in solving global challenges such as the climate crisis or the corona pandemic.

The US and would have to get along.

"So this is one of the most complex and consequential relationships we have in the world today."

Blinken asserted: »We are not looking for a conflict or a new Cold War.

On the contrary, we are determined to avoid both.” The US wanted to cooperate with China wherever possible – and argue wherever necessary.

He stressed, "We have profound differences with the Chinese Communist Party and with the Chinese government.

But these differences are between governments and systems, not between our peoples.”

dop/dpa