Beijing – The world is watching as U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping prepare for talks in the “coming weeks.” This rare meeting between the two leaders comes at a crucial time, as tensions between the two nations continue to rise.
Top White House aide Jake Sullivan, the first White House national security advisor to visit China since 2016, met with Xi Jinping on Thursday after three days of talks with other high-ranking Chinese officials. This visit comes as China is embroiled in security disputes with U.S. allies Japan and the Philippines.
During their meeting at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, Sullivan conveyed President Biden’s eagerness to engage with Xi Jinping in the near future. He also emphasized the importance of managing the relationship between the two countries in a responsible manner, ensuring that competition does not escalate into conflict or confrontation.
Xi Jinping, in turn, reaffirmed China’s commitment to maintaining stable and healthy relations with the U.S., despite the challenges and changes in the global landscape. “China’s commitment to the goal of stable, healthy, and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations hasn’t changed,” he said. He also expressed hope that the U.S. would work together with China to find common ground and move forward.
In their meeting on Wednesday, Sullivan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed plans for their leaders to hold talks in the coming weeks. However, they also clashed over China’s assertive actions in disputed maritime regions, such as the South China Sea.
On Thursday morning, Sullivan met with senior Chinese army official Zhang Youxia to discuss issues such as Taiwan and other potential flashpoints. Zhang emphasized that the status of Taiwan is a “red line” that cannot be crossed in China-U.S. relations. He also urged the U.S. to stop military collusion with Taiwan, cease arming the island, and refrain from spreading false narratives related to Taiwan.
Sullivan also raised concerns about China’s support for Russia’s defense industry, as well as the need to avoid miscalculation and escalation in cyberspace. He also highlighted the ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza.
This visit by Sullivan comes just months before the U.S. elections in November. While the Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, is expected to continue Biden’s approach of seeking dialogue with China while maintaining pressure, her Republican rival Donald Trump has taken a harder stance against China.
Despite the differences in approach, both sides recognize the importance of maintaining communication and avoiding misunderstandings. As Sullivan and Zhang agreed, it is rare to have the opportunity for such exchanges, and it is crucial to work together to promote communication and exchanges between the two militaries.
The world is facing numerous challenges, and the relationship between the U.S. and China is a critical factor in finding solutions. As two major powers, it is essential for both countries to work together and shoulder their responsibilities in promoting peace and stability globally.
The talks between Sullivan and Chinese officials have shown that both sides are willing to engage in dialogue and find common ground. This is a positive sign for the future of China-U.S. relations and the world as a whole.
As we look forward to the upcoming talks between President Biden and Xi Jinping, let us hope that they will lead to constructive discussions and pave the way for a more cooperative and peaceful relationship between the two nations. Let us also remember that in this interconnected world, cooperation and understanding are crucial for the progress and prosperity of all nations.
