US and China are talking at a high level again, but their rivalry remains unchecked

By MATTHEW LEE
AP Diplomatic Writer

BEIJING (AP) — The United States and China may be back to talking at a high level, but their battle for global power and influence remains unchecked and mutual suspicion still runs deep. Secretary of State Antony Blinken set low goals for his visit to Beijing this week, and he met them. About the most the rivals can hope for these days is to stop things getting much worse. Blinken pointed to difficult days ahead, while China’s foreign ministry warned the relationship was in a downward spiral. While the two countries say they’re not enemies intent on harming each other, they’re not pretending to be friends.