Antony Blinken’s Finest Hour
The U.S. secretary of state shows China that America’s greatness lies in its humility.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken just before his dustup.
Photographer: Pool/Getty Images AsiaPacThe first high-level Chinese-American summit of Joe Biden’s presidency unraveled before it began. In a moment reminiscent of the dueling bridal-shower speeches in “Bridesmaids,” the U.S. and Chinese delegations returned to the podium after initial remarks to offer sharp retorts to what had just been said.
At issue was America’s right to criticize Chinese repression. Said top Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi: “Many people within the United States actually have little confidence in the democracy of the United States.” His message was clear: Don’t criticize us about Uyghur genocide or mass arrests in Hong Kong.