Top Biden Aide Visits China Amid Escalating Tensions with US Allies
Jake Sullivan, the United States National Security Adviser, arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for high-level talks with China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi.
The visit comes as China faces rising tensions with key US allies, particularly Japan and the Philippines, over security disputes in the Asia-Pacific region. Sullivan’s visit is the first trip by a US national security adviser to China since 2016.
The discussions are expected to cover a range of contentious issues, including China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea, its military pressure on Taiwan, and economic disputes involving trade and technology.
Tensions have been escalating in the region, with Japan scrambling fighter jets on Monday in response to a Chinese military aircraft entering its airspace. This incursion with military spy plane was the first of its kind, with Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi declaring it a “serious violation of Japan’s sovereignty” and a threat to national security.
Following a series of encounters between Chinese and Philippine ships near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. accused China of being the “biggest disruptor” of peace in Southeast Asia.
Sullivan and Wang met at a resort on the outskirts of Beijing, where they exchanged remarks before beginning closed-door discussions. Wang described the relationship between China and the US as “critical,” acknowledging the challenges that have strained ties in recent years. Sullivan emphasized the importance of managing both agreements and disagreements effectively.
The talks are seen as a crucial step in stabilizing relations between the two superpowers, especially as both countries navigate a complex web of diplomatic and security concerns. These include the upcoming US presidential election in November and the ongoing war in Ukraine, where the US has expressed concerns about China’s support for Russia’s defense industry, as well as the broader implications of China’s influence in Asia and beyond.
The meetings between Sullivan and Wang could also pave the way for another summit between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year.
