BEIJING, June 13 (Reuters) - A widely followed state-backed Chinese social media account accused Washington of repeatedly playing tricks and creating the "illusion" that it is eager to engage with China, days before an expected visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
While not yet announced by the State Department, a U.S. official has said Blinken will be in China for talks on June 18.
Blinken, in February, cancelled a visit to Beijing after a suspected Chinese spy balloon flew across the United States.
Underscoring the negative mood around the Blinken visit, a man on Tuesday sprayed painted anti-American graffiti on the wall and a gate of the U.S. consulate in Hong Kong.
"Since the U.S. has repeatedly emphasised the need to strengthen high-level communication with China, whether Blinken will visit China is a litmus test of U.S. sincerity and political manoeuvring ability," Chinese state tabloid Global Times wrote in an editorial on Sunday.
Persons:
Washington, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Joe Biden, Florence Lo, Ryan Woo, Lincoln
Organizations:
U.S, State Department, REUTERS, Hong Kong . Local, Global Times, Thomson
Locations:
BEIJING, China, Beijing, United States, Cuba, Havana, U.S, Hong Kong .