National security adviser Jake Sullivan met with a top Chinese defense official in Beijing on Thursday, paving the way for a phone call between President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in the coming weeks. The meeting emphasized the need to prevent competition between the two countries from escalating into conflict or confrontation. This comes amid rising military tensions between China and U.S. allies in the Asia-Pacific region, where the U.S. has criticized Chinese actions in Taiwan and the South China Sea.
Sullivan stressed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and reiterated the U.S. commitment to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. He also expressed concerns about Chinese support for Russia’s defense industry as it continues its military operations in Ukraine. In response, the Chinese official emphasized that maintaining stability in military and security matters between the U.S. and China is in the interest of both parties and the international community. However, he emphasized that Taiwan’s status is of paramount importance to China and called for an end to U.S. military support and false narratives about Taiwan.
This meeting marks the highest-level public engagement the Biden administration has had with the Chinese military and is part of Sullivan’s first trip to China as national security adviser. The U.S. seeks to address tensions in what is considered the most important bilateral relationship in the world. The talks between Sullivan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi were described as candid, substantive, and constructive, covering a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues. Both sides welcomed ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication, including plans for a leader-level call in the coming weeks.
The Chinese foreign ministry confirmed discussions about a new round of interaction between the two heads of state in the near future, indicating further diplomatic engagement between the U.S. and China. Plans were also made for a call between the respective military theater commanders of both countries. This comes after Xi Jinping cut off military-to-military communications in 2022 in response to a visit to Taiwan by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The resumption of such communications reflects a willingness to improve relations between the two countries and address military tensions.
Overall, Sullivan’s visit to China and the subsequent meetings with top Chinese officials highlight the efforts of both countries to manage tensions and improve communication in the face of escalating military activities. The discussions on Taiwan, the South China Sea, and ongoing conflicts around the world underscore the complex dynamics at play in the U.S.-China relationship. As both sides work towards a leader-level call and further interactions, there is hope for increased dialogue and cooperation in addressing key security issues affecting the region and the world.
