LEAH MILLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images (WASHINGTON) -- As he prepared to leave Beijing Monday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared that he had accomplished one of his most critical goals for the high-stakes trip: strengthening communication between the U.S. and China. But whether his visit will have a lasting impact on the relationship will depend on what happens in the weeks ahead. "I stressed that direct engagement and sustained communication and senior levels is the best way to responsibly manage our differences and ensure the competition does not veer into conflict," Blinken said of his discussions during a news conference, capping off the first visit to China by a Cabinet official since 2019.

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