He also criticized Chinese actions in Hong Kong, where he said China had acted “egregiously” to undermine its commitments to the semi-autonomous island.
Blinken said the US must open its doors to those fleeing the crackdown, as Great Britain, which controlled Hong Kong until 1999, has said it will do.
“We see people who were, again, in Hong Kong standing up for their own rights, the rights that they thought were guaranteed to them,” Blinken said. “If they’re the victims of repression from Chinese authorities, we should do something to give them haven.”
He said the US will gain strength in confronting China by re-engaging in global affairs and with international institutions, “because when we pull back, China fills in.”
“The challenge posed by China is as much about some of our own self-inflicted weaknesses as it is about China’s emerging strength,” Blinken said, a clear reference to Trump’s aversion to groups like Nato, the UN and WHO.
Source Article from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2021/feb/01/joe-biden-coronavirus-covid-relief-kamala-harris-donald-trump-impeachment-live-updates
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