WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is considering a meeting with Wang Yi, China’s top diplomat, at a security conference later this week, people familiar with the matter said, in what would be their first face-to-face talks since an uproar over a Chinese balloon led to a new spike in tensions.
Blinken and Wang would meet at the Munich Security Conference, which runs Feb. 17 to Feb. 19, provided both sides agree, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private deliberations.
Blinken called off his trip to Beijing that had been set for last week after the U.S. identified an alleged Chinese spy balloon hovering over U.S. airspace. The U.S. said it would send the wrong impression to have Blinken visit while the balloon was still aloft. A day after the trip was canceled, the Pentagon shot down the balloon off South Carolina.
