The United States sees China as a threat to collective security, but will not force allies to choose between Beijing and Washington, Secretary of State Antony Blinken was set to say Wednesday.

"The United States won't force our allies into an 'us-or-them' choice with China," he was to say, according to excerpts of a speech to be delivered at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

The US top diplomat was to tell allies in the keynote speech on his first European visit that "there's no question that China's coercive behaviour threatens our collective security and prosperity".

"But that doesn't mean countries can't work with China where possible. The United States will. We can't afford not to -- - especially on challenges like climate change and health security," according to the transcript.

Blinken was due to say that Washington wants to work with partners to "close the gaps in areas like technology and infrastructure, which China is exploiting to exert coercive pressure."

"We know that our allies have complex relationships with China that won't always align perfectly with ours. But we need to navigate these challenges together," the was set to say.

The comments from Blinken represent a major shift in US policy from attempts by former leader Donald Trump to strong arm allies into taking a tougher line on Beijing.

President Joe Biden is keen to take a multilateral approach as he looks to enlist NATO allies and partners such as the European Union in a united front of democracies to challenge authoritarian China.

Washington and Brussels took a first step towards joint action against Beijing by unveiling synchronised sanctions on Monday over the crackdown on the Uyghurs in China.

But Brussels irritated Biden's team by agreeing a broad investment deal with Beijing weeks before he took office, despite Washington urging the EU to wait.

Blinken is set to hold talks later Wednesday with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, a day before Biden joins a video summit of leaders from the bloc.

Related Links
China News from SinoDaily.com

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The Space Media Network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceMediaNetwork Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceMediaNetwork Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Trial set to begin of Canadian detained in China
Dandong, China (AFP) March 19, 2021
A Canadian man detained in China for more than two years was set to face trial Friday morning for espionage, charges which Canada has attacked as "trumped up" as relations between Ottawa and Beijing plummet. Michael Spavor is one of two Canadians detained in apparent retaliation for Canada's arrest on a US extradition warrant of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, and formally charged last June with spying. AFP saw a police van with tinted windows arriving at the court in the northeastern city of Dan ... read more