During the conclusion of his three-day visit to China, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concerns about Chinese efforts to influence or potentially interfere with the upcoming US elections, despite Chinese President Xi Jinping’s earlier commitment to refrain from such actions.
Blinken, following discussions with top Chinese officials including Xi, reiterated President Biden’s message conveyed during their summit last November in San Francisco, emphasizing the importance of non-interference in the 2024 US presidential elections.
While Xi pledged China’s non-interference, Blinken indicated evidence of attempts to influence or interfere and emphasized the need to halt such activities promptly. He underscored that any form of election interference by China is unacceptable to the US.
Blinken also highlighted concerns about China and other nations exploiting existing social divisions in the US for influence campaigns. Despite China’s repeated assertions of non-interference in US elections based on the principle of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs, allegations of political interference have been directed at Beijing-affiliated entities in countries like Canada.
Blinken’s visit, the second within a year, is part of ongoing efforts to enhance bilateral communication between the US and China, aiming to expand cooperation while addressing differences openly to prevent escalating competition from evolving into conflict.