Xi tells Blinken US and China ‘should be partners and not rivals’ as Beijing sets out red lines

US secretary of state Antony Blinken meets with Chinese president Xi Jinping in Beijing yesterday. Photo: Reuters

Shweta Sharma

Chinese president Xi Jinping told US secretary of state Antony Blinken that their countries “should be partners and not rivals” shortly after Beijing warned Washington against crossing its red lines in high-stakes meetings aimed at stabilising relations between the world’s two largest economies.

Mr Xi met Mr Blinken before the American diplomat concluded his three-day visit to Beijing yesterday, an unexpected direct meeting with the Communist Party leader signifying an effort to ease emerging flashpoints.