WASHINGTON, 11 March, 2021 (TON): For the first time in the new U.S. administration, U.S. and China are to hold in-person talks in Alaska on 18 March, said the White House on Wednesday.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet the top officials of China as he returns from his overseas trip to key U.S. allies Japan and South Korea.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan will join the meeting in Anchorage with China’s top diplomat, Yang Jiechi, and State Councillor Wang Yi, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said, adding that the administration would approach its relations with China in lockstep with its partners.

Psaki told the media, “It was important to us that this administration’s first meeting with Chinese officials be held on American soil, and occur after we have met and consulted closely with partners and allies in both Asia and Europe.”

She said the meeting would be “an opportunity to address a wide range of issues, including ones where we have deep disagreements.”

However, as the new administration took the office, it has committed to reviewing its policies with China as the two sides cross frosty ties that went to level one during the past U.S. administration.