The News

Leading congressional Republicans excoriated Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken on Friday for touring to China this weekend, accusing him of undermining nationwide safety by trying to normalize diplomatic relations with Beijing as they press for a extra hard-line strategy.

Representative Michael McCaul, Republican of Texas and the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, threatened to subpoena Mr. Blinken if he failed to provide paperwork by Friday night detailing the record of retaliatory actions the U.S. authorities has thought of towards China, and once they have been utilized.

“The Biden administration’s weak actions on the global stage continue to embolden the C.C.P.,” Representative Elise Stefanik of New York, the No. 4 Republican within the House, mentioned in a press release. The secretary of state’s journey, she added, will “legitimize” the Chinese Communist Party’s “continued subversion of our sovereignty.”

Why It Matters

The conflict displays two divergent approaches to coping with a rising China, and will affect forthcoming debates over navy spending. Republicans have accused the Biden administration of responding fecklessly to Chinese provocations, just like the spy balloon that flew over the United States earlier this yr, and argue it might be extra prudent to make shows of navy solidarity with Taiwan than pursue a diplomatic thaw.

“Engagement disconnected from a robust military deterrent? I’m not sure what it will actually achieve,” mentioned Representative Mike Gallagher, Republican of Wisconsin and the chairman of a House panel targeted on strategic competitors with China.

But Democrats argue that engagement is essential. Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, mentioned he hoped that in the course of the summit, “we can create some level of communication, particularly on the defense side, so that we can deconflict” with Beijing.

Background

Beijing reduce off a collection of diplomatic, navy and vitality engagements with the United States final yr, within the wake of then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s go to to Taiwan over the objections of China. Relations between the 2 nations skilled one other setback earlier this yr, when the Chinese spy balloon floated over the United States, hovering close to delicate navy websites. Mr. Blinken canceled a deliberate journey to Beijing within the aftermath of the balloon incident.

Last week, revelations that China has operated spy services in Cuba since no less than 2019 and not too long ago improved their potential to observe digital communications contained in the United States threatened to disrupt Mr. Blinken’s journey plans as soon as once more. They additionally impressed a spherical of vitriol from the G.O.P. lawmakers towards Mr. Blinken for persevering with to pursue high-level talks with Beijing.

What’s Next

Mr. McCaul is attempting to show that State Department officers deliberately dragged their toes on punishing China by demanding to see the division’s so-called aggressive actions calendars. The paperwork would present how lengthy it took the division to implement sure measures, equivalent to sanctions or export controls, after they have been introduced, if in any respect.

The State Department was not anticipated to fulfill the 6 p.m. deadline Mr. McCaul set for producing the paperwork.