National security adviser Jake Sullivan met with top Chinese defense official Gen. Zhang Youxia in Beijing, marking the highest-level engagement between the Biden administration and the Chinese military. The meeting comes amidst rising military tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, with the U.S. expressing concerns about Chinese actions in Taiwan and the South China Sea. Sullivan emphasized the importance of preventing conflict between the two countries.
Sullivan also discussed peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, U.S. commitment to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, and concerns about Chinese support for Russia amid the conflict in Ukraine. This is the first meeting between a U.S. official and a commission vice chair since 2018. Sullivan’s visit is part of an effort to address tensions in what is considered a crucial bilateral relationship.
The White House described the talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as “candid, substantive and constructive,” with both sides welcoming ongoing communication. They are planning for a leader-level call between Biden and Xi in the coming weeks, as well as a potential call between their military theater commanders. This marks a continuation of efforts to maintain open lines of communication after Xi cut them off in response to a visit to Taiwan by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in 2022. Both sides expressed readiness for further interactions at the highest levels.
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