US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (Photo: Reuters)

During a speech on Thursday clarifying US policy towards China on a range of matters including freedom of navigation and overflight and  Chinese Taipei, Blinken said the US will invest in the foundations of its domestic strength -- competitiveness, innovation, and democracy -- and will align its efforts with its network of allies and partners, acting with common purpose and in common cause.

Blinken stressed, however, that the US will cooperate with Beijing where their interests come together and they shouldn't let their disagreements stop them from moving forward on priorities that demand that they work together for the good of their people and for the good of the world.  

Blinken said the US will continue to oppose China's provocative and illegal actions in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) and in the East China Sea. The US will work with allies and partners to uphold freedom of navigation and overflight, which has enabled the region to prosper for decades, and will continue to fly and sail wherever international law allows.    

On Chinese Taipei, the US remains committed to a “one China” policy, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the three Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances, Blinken said. The US opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side and expects cross-strait differences to be resolved by peaceful means.