Blinken’s Planned Visit to Beijing Was ‘Ill-Timed’ Given U.S. Actions Against China, Diplomat Says

China’s Ambassador to France said conditions weren’t appropriate for a planned visit from the U.S. Secretary of State to China given how the U.S. has been carrying out “anti-China activities” in both the military and technology fields, leading to worsening bilateral relations even before the recent balloon incident.

“The current atmosphere is not suitable for a visit,” Ambassador Lu Shaye said during a Monday interview with French TV channel LCI, while calling out U.S.’ actions in recent weeks such as furthering trade sanctions against Chinese technology companies, increasing arms sales to the island of Taiwan, and strengthening military cooperation with Japan, South Korea and the Philippines.