Expectation of Blinken's nomination in 'better than Pompeio'

Chinese experts rated Blinken, 58, a former deputy secretary of state who was nominated as the first secretary of state in the Joe Biden administration, relatively favorably. They say it can help improve U.S.-China relations because it is more predictable than the Donald Trump administration and Secretary of State Mike Pompeii.

Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP) on Monday quoted experts as calling Blinken's nominee "a person who can work together in a warm and practical manner." It also predicted such personnel changes as "a positive move for China."

"China expects someone to deal with the U.S.-China relationship in a sensible way that suits U.S. interests," said Jia Qingguo, director of the Institute of International Relations at Beijing University. "If things go on in this way, there are many things the U.S. can do with China."

Lu Xiang, a U.S. expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, also told SCMP, "Blingen is not charismatic or provocative, but a practical type," adding, "If he is appointed, it would be good news."

Experts believe that the Trump administration and Secretary of State Pompeii are the worst figures in U.S.-China relations. Therefore, it also means that whoever is appointed as the next secretary of state will be better than the incumbent.

"Considering Blinken's past remarks on China and his career, there is a high possibility that a positive environment will be created in the future in Sino-U.S. relations, as he is softer than the current Trump administration," said Dia Daming, a professor at the People's University of China. "Pushing for communication through diplomatic channels can also help improve U.S.-China relations."

However, some raise concerns based on another past remark by Blinken. Blinken called China a "technical dictatorship," stressing that technological hegemony should be held by the United States, not China. The U.S.-China war on technology hegemony is still ongoing. The U.S. made it possible to obtain prior approval when exporting products with its own semiconductor technology to China, and China set innovation and technological independence as a goal for economic and social development in the future.


Some also say that it would be difficult to expect an immediate recovery in U.S.-China relations. "Compared to President Trump's brutal response to China, Biden is expected to take a much smarter approach," Li Hai-dong, a professor at the Institute for International Relations at the University of China, told the state-run Global Times. "Yes, this will not change the long-standing rivalry between the U.S. and China."

"It is in the fundamental interest of both the two countries and the people of Central America to ensure that the Sino-U.S. relations develop sound and stable," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zaorizen said in a regular press briefing the previous day. "China is willing to strengthen communication with the U.S., expand cooperation with the U.S., and control differences to lead the Sino-U.S. relationship in a sound and stable manner."