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China is World's 'Greatest Geopolitical Test', Blinken Says

VOA News

   U.S.Secretary of State
   AntonyBlinkendeclaredWednesdaythattherelationshipbetween the United
   StatesandChina istheworld's "biggest geopolitical test" of the century.

   Inremarks released before he delivershis first major foreign policy
   speech,Blinkensaysthe new Biden administration will"manage" ties with
   China "from a position of strength."

   "That requires engaging in diplomacy and in international
   organizations, because where we have pulled back, China has filled
   in,"the statement said hours beforeBlinkendeliversanaddressat the State
   Department in Washington.

   The top U.S. diplomat saidWashingtonwould continue to
   compete,collaborateand be "adversarial," if necessary, with China, "the
   only country with the economic, diplomatic, military, and technological
   power to seriously challenge the stable and open international system
   -- all the rules, values, and relationships that make the world work
   the way we want it to."

   Blinken'sspeech lays out President Joe Biden's strategyto "renew
   America's strengths" on the global stage with a pledge to "lead with
   diplomacy."

   Throughout his presidency,Biden's predecessor,Donald Trump,launched a
   relentless trade war with Beijing, strongly suggested the coronavirus
   was leaked fromthe Chinese city ofWuhan laboratory, and challenged
   China's military control of the disputed South China Sea.

   The Biden administration's other major foreign policy objectives
   include working to contain the global coronavirus pandemic, buildinga
   more inclusive globaleconomyand addressing the growing global threat
   against democracy, according toBlinken'sremarks.

   Repairing relations with allies,addressing climate change and powering
   a "green energy revolution" alsoareon the list of priorities, as is
   maintaining a lead in technology.

   Blinkenalsosaid last month the Biden administrationwouldseek tobolster
   and extend the nuclear deal reached between Iran and world powers.

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