Beijing Stages Charm Offensive to Pave Way for Xi Trip

China hasn’t said yet whether its leader, Xi Jinping, will accept President Biden’s invitation to visit the U.S. next month, but Beijing is gearing up an American charm offensive that appears designed to prepare the way for what would be Xi’s first U.S. trip in six-and-a-half years.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to meet U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington later this week, Biden administration officials said Monday. Other people briefed on the plans said Wang’s role includes preparing for a Xi-Biden summit.