Secretary of State Blinken to Visit China Soon: Report

A major visit to China is back on the books for U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. An official says he's setting off for China in the coming weeks -- nearly half a year after after scrapping a planned trip there. That decision was made over the Chinese spy balloon incident -- when an unmanned craft flew over the continental U.S. -- plus three sites linked to America's nuclear arsenal. The report of Blinken's new trip comes as Washington works to reestablish communication with Beijing -- especially defense talks. And after President Joe Biden described a "thaw" in relations between the world's largest economies. Disputes between them range from Beijing's military activity in the South China Sea, to its human rights record, intellectual property theft, and Taiwan. The island is democratically governed by its own constitution, while the Chinese regime claims the island as its territory -- despite never having ruled it. The official spoke on condition of anonymity -- and didn't give details on the timing of Blinken's trip. The State Department also declined to confirm any plans. Deputy spokesman Vedant Patel noting that: "have no travel for the Secretary to announce; as we've said previously the visit to the People's Republic of China will be rescheduled when conditions allow."