Dear Focus Reader,

A bipartisan delegation of U.S. Senators, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican Senator Mike Crapo, plans to visit China next week with the aim of meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping. This visit coincides with heightened engagement between U.S. and Chinese officials, including recent visits by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. Apart from emphasizing the importance of maintaining open channels of communication, U.S. officials have also underscored the necessity of tackling matters such as trade and the operational challenges confronting U.S. businesses in China.

The trip comes ahead of the upcoming APEC Summit scheduled for next month. While Beijing has not confirmed China's representation at the economic gathering, there are hints of Chinese President Xi Jinping's attendance, and the possibility of a summit with U.S. President Joe Biden, though Chinese officials have said this will depend on the environment created by Washington.

In the meantime, the Biden administration has informed Beijing of its plans to update rules restricting the shipment of AI chips and chip-making tools to China, with these changes expected as early as October.

Want to stay up to date on the latest in China-U.S. relations? Check out our latest Focus content, including topics covering American tactics and Chinese strategy, the upcoming elections in the U.S., and the sci-tech sector.

Have a good weekend!

Team Focus