The White House national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, recently met with China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, amid tensions between China and key US allies, Japan, and the Philippines, over the South China Sea. Japan scrambled fighter jets after a Chinese military aircraft entered its airspace, and the Philippines accused China of disrupting peace in Southeast Asia.
Sullivan’s visit to Beijing was focused on discussing areas of agreement and disagreement between the US and China, including the South China Sea and Taiwan. The meeting comes amid mounting concerns about China’s military, diplomatic, and economic pressure on Taiwan, as well as its support for Russia’s defence industry expansion after the invasion of Ukraine.
The modern US-China relationship has been shaped by high-level meetings like this one, dating back to Henry Kissinger’s secret visit to Beijing in 1971. Sullivan and Wang have met multiple times over the past year and a half, underscoring the importance of communication between the two countries.
The US official stressed the importance of managing the competition between the US and China responsibly to prevent it from escalating into conflict. Both countries are committed to strengthening their alliances, discussing tech and national security issues, and addressing areas of disagreement through substantive and constructive dialogue.
Sullivan’s visit to China comes at a critical time as both countries navigate their complex relationship and work towards resolving conflicts in the region. The outcome of these discussions will have far-reaching implications for global security and stability.
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