At the same time, a senior US State Department diplomat has embarked on a relatively low-key visit to China. According to surging journalists, Rick Waters, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State of the United States, visited Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing and other places in China in the past week to meet and exchange with academics and business people intensively. He is also the head of the newly established "Office of China Coordination" (also known as the "China Group") of the State Council.

In response, the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong quoted scholars as analyzing that this trip is part of the "work level communication" between China and the United States. Officials of the US State Department may pave the way for US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to arrange a visit to China through contacts and advice with China.

Visiting think tanks in Beijing and Shanghai to exchange views on China US relations

During this visit to China, Hua Ziqiang had exchanges with scholars from various regions such as Beijing and Shanghai. According to the information on the Shanghai Institute of International Studies WeChat official account, on March 22, Hua Ziqiang and his delegation visited the Shanghai Institute of International Studies. They had talks and exchanges with Chen Dongxiao, president of the Institute, and Yang Jiemian, director of the Academic Advisory Committee. The two sides exchanged in-depth views on "Sino US relations and other issues".

In Beijing, Hua Ziqiang was invited to visit the Chahar Society on March 25th and held a closed door lunch with experts and scholars from the society to exchange views on China US relations and regional situations. Han Fangming, the president of the Chahar Society, met alone with the delegation led by Hua Ziqiang before lunch.

The reporter from Pengpai News learned that during this trip, Huaziqiang will also meet with other Chinese people, but there has been no public information available. At present, the itinerary and details of China's self strengthening visit are not clear, but this is the first time a senior US diplomat has visited China since December last year. From December 11th to 12th last year, Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng held talks in Langfang, Hebei with visiting Assistant Secretary of State for Asia Pacific Affairs Conda and Senior Director of China Affairs at the White House National Security Council Rosenberg. According to the statement of the US State Department at that time, Kangda and Rosenberg's visit was based on the Bali meeting of US and Chinese leaders, and prepared for Antony Blinken's visit to China scheduled for early 2023.

However, after the "unmanned airship incident" at the beginning of February, senior officials of the US State Department said in a telephone briefing that Antony Blinken had decided to postpone his visit to China due to the incident of Chinese unmanned airships entering US airspace. The Chinese side also emphasizes that neither China nor the United States has announced any visits, and the release of relevant information by the US is its own responsibility.

It is worth mentioning that prior to China's visit, the US had already released news that senior government officials may visit China or look forward to communication. The White House announced on March 20th that Washington and Beijing are discussing possible visits by US Treasury Secretary Yellen and Commerce Secretary Raymond to China. In addition, US National Security Advisor Sullivan also stated on March 13th that he expects Biden and Chinese leaders to have a phone call in the coming days.