Editor's note: In a world grappling with geopolitical tensions, the relationship between the United States and China stands at a critical juncture. While Secretary of State Antony Blinken is planning to visit China in the coming weekend, a section of the American media is drumming up hysteria accusing China of setting up an "electronic listening post" in Cuba – a claim that has been strongly refuted by China's foreign ministry. Blinken's last planned visit to China in February was abruptly called off due to a similar hysteria over a Chinese weather balloon. To find out the significance of Blinken's upcoming trip amid the disruptions, CGTN's Sr. International Editor Abhishek G. Bhaya spoke with seasoned American peace activist Joseph Gerson. The views expressed in the video are his own and not necessarily those of CGTN.

Edited excerpts:

CGTN: If we notice the timing of the Cuba report, do you think it somehow indicates that there are forces within the U.S. that want to disrupt any potential China-U.S. dialogue? In fact, Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Xie Feng recently noted that China and the United States once had 100-plus dialogue mechanisms but all were shelved in the past few years.

Joseph Gerson: It's hard to measure. On the one hand, while there's a desire for dialogue, and to prevent the armed conflicts between the United States and China, the reality is that the Biden administration is pursuing maximization of U.S. influence across the Indo-Pacific area. I think even in China, there's a diversity of views. And we certainly have a strong diversity of views here in the United States.

And so, I'm sure that on both sides of the Pacific now, we have forces who are doing whatever they can to insulate the diplomatic process from outside intervention. We'll see how it plays out.

CGTN: Last month at an event hosted by The Washington Post, Blinken reiterated that the U.S. is in competition with China, but also insisted that Washington has a strong interest in ensuring that competition doesn't veer into conflict. Is Blinken sincere when he says this?

Gerson: I think that's true, but it doesn't call into question the depth of the competition that's taking place and the forces that both sides are applying in the competition. And as the U.S. National Security Strategy says, we are now in competition with great powers to shape how the new world order is going to be formed. We're in an absolutely transformational moment. So, I think that while the commitment to competition is very deep, the hope is that when kids are playing chicken on their bicycles, wise heads will be able to contain the competition. 

One important way forward would be to reestablish military-to-military dialogue. So that when there are unanticipated incidents, as will happen because that's life, that the militaries and the senior administration officials on both sides can be in touch with one another, and find ways to keep any tensions from escalating.

CGTN: You talk about military-to-military exchanges, but as we speak, there are U.S. sanctions against Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu. And Ambassador Xie Feng has articulated China's position saying "It surely is not the right way to seek dialogue and cooperation while putting the others on the sanctions list." How do you see this contradiction?

Gerson: I fully agree. The sanctions are not helpful. While we do have very serious differences, especially around human rights, the interlocutors have to be treated with respect. And one of the challenges here in the United States, overall, in relationship to the U.S.-China relationship, is to help Americans understand that even as we have differences, it's important that both sides treat one another with the respect that they deserve.

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