On Thursday, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan concluded a series of high-level meetings in Beijing, capping off a three-day visit aimed at easing tensions between the United States and China.
The talks included a significant session with General Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, and focused on enhancing military-to-military communication.
This meeting was notable as the first interaction between General Zhang and a Biden administration official, and the first encounter between a senior US official and a vice chairman of the commission since 2018.
“Your request for having this meeting with me demonstrates the value the U.S. government places on military security and our military-to-military relationship,” stated General Zhang.
Sullivan described the meeting as a “rare” and important opportunity to manage US-China relations responsibly and avoid potential conflicts.
Both sides reported progress in establishing improved communication channels for military commanders, including plans for telephone discussions among theater-level commanders. The White House highlighted Sullivan’s emphasis on the need for stability across the Taiwan Strait and the maintenance of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, a critical trade route. Additionally, the United States expressed concerns regarding China’s support for Russia’s defense industry.
China on the other hand expressed its discontent with U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods and export controls on Chinese chipmakers. Additionally, the issue of Taiwan remained a point of contention, with China reaffirming its claims of sovereignty over the island.
Sullivan also engaged in extensive talks with China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, on Wednesday. The discussions aimed to defuse tensions ahead of the US presidential election on November 5. Wang and Sullivan explored the possibility of renewed talks between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, addressing a range of issues including the Middle East, Ukraine, territorial disputes, and trade.
The White House indicated that President Biden and President Xi are expected to speak by phone in the coming weeks. Plans for further discussions on artificial intelligence are also underway, with senior advisor John Podesta scheduled to visit China soon.
This visit by Sullivan is the first official trip by a US National Security Adviser to China since 2016. Previous high-level communications between the two countries have been hampered by a number of incidents, including Nancy Pelosi’s 2022 visit to Taiwan and the 2023 “balloon incident,” which strained relations and forced the cancellation of some planned talks.
