USA and China to Strengthen Bilateral Relations in Latest Meeting

Gina Raimondo, the US Commerce Secretary, arrived in Beijing late on August 27 for a four-day visit aimed at strengthening business ties between the world's two largest economies while declaring American national security trade measures off-limits to debate.

"If you wanted to put a tagline to the trip and the mission, it's protect what we must and promote where we can," Raimondo told reporters before leaving for China on Aug 26. "I'm not going to hold back next week when I'm there, but I'm going to be practical."

Relations are tense as the United States works with allies to block China's access to advanced semiconductors, while Beijing is restricting shipments from prominent chip company Micron Technology and raided and fined US firm Mintz Group US$1.5 million for doing "unapproved statistical work."

Raimondo, who was met at the airport by Chinese Commerce Ministry official Lin Feng, will hold bilateral meetings with Chinese officials in Beijing on Monday and Tuesday before travelling to Shanghai. Nicholas Burns, the US Ambassador to China, will accompany her.

Raimondo discussed her visit with President Joe Biden on August 24, and his message was that increased dialogue with China can help to reduce tensions.

"We want to have a stable commercial relationship, and regular communication is essential to that," Raimondo said. "We need to communicate in order to avoid conflict."

Republicans in Congress have criticised Raimondo's possible formation of a working group with China during her visit to discuss US semiconductor export controls.