Kan. U.S. Senator: Sec. of State trip to China an embarrassment

WASHINGTON— China’s main diplomat for the Western Hemisphere says U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to China “marks a new beginning” as their nations seek to repair damaged relations.

Kansas Senator Roger Marshall criticized Blinken's visit. On social media, Marshall wrote, " Did we forget communist China had a spy balloon in our backyard just 4 months ago?"

"Sec. Blinken’s trip to China for the Big Guy to ‘ease tensions’ is an embarrassment. Since when did America go to her bullies to ask them to play nice?  Peace through STRENGTH."

Blinken met Monday with Chinese President Xi Jinping and says they agreed to “stabilize” deteriorated ties. But Blinken left Beijing with his biggest ask rebuffed: Blinken says China is not ready to resume military-to-military contacts, something the U.S. considers crucial.

Chinese diplomat Yang Tao blames the issue squarely on U.S. sanctions, which Blinken says revolve entirely around threats to American security. Yet Blinken and Xi pronounce themselves satisfied with progress made during two days of talks, without pointing to specific areas of agreement.