US commerce chief meets Chinese counterpart in Beijing
US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo initiated her visit to China with a pivotal meeting alongside Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao on Monday.
This visit marks the first time in seven years that a sitting US Commerce Secretary has journeyed to China.
Anticipated discussions between the US and Chinese delegations encompass a wide array of issues, with a central focus on efforts to de-escalate tensions between the world's two largest economies.
Raimondo's itinerary in Beijing includes scheduled meetings with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Vice Premier He Lifeng. She is also slated to travel to Shanghai for engagements on Tuesday and Wednesday, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
Earlier this year in May, Raimondo and Wang Wentao convened for a two-day dialogue in Washington. Their discussions during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Detroit, Michigan, touched upon topics ranging from trade to investment and export policies.
The Chinese Commerce Ministry confirmed that Wang and Raimondo had reached an agreement to "enhance exchanges concerning specific economic and trade matters as well as cooperative issues."
Raimondo joins a distinguished group of high-ranking US officials who have visited China since June. This list includes US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, and Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, all of whom conducted significant meetings in Beijing.