Blinken discussed alleged Chinese interference in elections during visit

This Friday (26), US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, spoke with CNN reporter, Kylie Atwood, after a three-day visit to China. During his stay, Blinken had lengthy discussions with senior Chinese officials, including President Xi Jinping.

Tensions and commitments

These meetings took place amid several controversial issues between the two countries, from US technology control policies to China's support for Russia. Blinken highlighted that the US has observed signs of Chinese attempts to interfere in the upcoming US elections, despite President Xi Jinping's previous commitment not to do so.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated a message conveyed by President Joe Biden to Xi Jinping during the summit in San Francisco, held in November of the previous year. Blinken emphasized that during the meeting, Xi committed not to interfere in the 2024 US presidential elections, as reported by CNN.

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_{Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) speaks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (2nd left) – (Photo: reproduction/ MARK SCHIEFELBEIN/POOL/AFP/Getty Images Embed)}

Blinken said they have seen evidence of attempts to influence and possibly interfere, and expressed a desire to ensure that such activities are stopped as quickly as possible. He also mentioned that any interference by China in the US elections is something that is being carefully monitored and considered unacceptable, reinforcing the importance of getting that message across again. In addition, Blinken highlighted concerns about the possibility of China and other countries taking advantage of existing social divisions in the US for their influence campaigns.

Freedom of expression and diplomatic tensions

He mentioned that there had been situations in which there were clear manifestations of anti-Semitism, however, he stated that “the protests themselves are not anti-Semitic.” He noted that some people, especially young people and those from diverse backgrounds, showed intense emotions regarding the conflict.

Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of freedom of expression in democracies, without making explicit mention of the absence of these freedoms in China. According to him, “In our country, in our society and in our democracy, expressing this is, of course, appropriate and protected.”

Beijing denies interfering in US elections, citing its policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. However, China or groups associated with it face accusations of political interference in countries such as Canada. Blinken defends the right to protest in the US, including recent pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses, but also acknowledges reports of anti-Semitic rhetoric at those events.

Featured photo: Antony Blinken (left), meets with the President of China, Xi Jinping, in the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, (reproduction/ MARK SCHIEFELBEIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Embed)