US-China relations

One of the thorniest security issues between the two superpowers is over the future of Taiwan, a self-governing territory which Beijing wants to bring under its rule.

Lawyers for Zhu and Zheng, both Chinese citizens and New York City residents, said their clients did not know they were working for China's government.

Rising tensions between the nations meant that the prospect of a meeting was closely watched by security forces.

The larger chunk of Micron's products flowing into China are being purchased by non-Chinese firms for use in products manufactured there, analysts say.

On Wednesday, following the governor's signing of the law, Knudsen, who, like Gianforte, is a Republican, called TikTok "a Chinese Communist Party spying tool that poses a threat to every Montanan."

They aim to cooperate on efforts to counter foreign manipulation of information, including "China's amplification of Russian disinformation narratives about the war" in Ukraine and other issues.

"It is obvious that in recent years the rivalry aspect has become more important. However, we must continue to engage with China. First, because of its influence in the world."

Beijing stressed that the United States must correct its handling of the Taiwan issue and stop the hollowing out of the "one China" principle.

Commentators on Chinese social media have speculated that Beijing has been developing a spacecraft like the US Air Force's X-37B, an autonomous spaceplane that can remain in orbit for years.

Saudi Arabia is neither ready nor able to give up the American defensive shield, and it believes that Israel, as America’s ally, has a role in securing this.