National security adviser Jake Sullivan met with top Chinese defense official Gen. Zhang Youxia in Beijing, marking the highest-level public engagement between the Biden administration and the Chinese military. Sullivan emphasized the importance of preventing conflict and maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea. Zhang reiterated that Taiwan is a core interest for China and called for an end to U.S. military support and false narratives about Taiwan.
This meeting comes amid escalating military tensions between China and U.S. allies in the Asia-Pacific region. Sullivan’s visit to China also included talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, focusing on bilateral, regional, and global issues. Both sides discussed plans for a leader-level call between President Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in the coming weeks, as well as military-to-military communications between their respective theater commanders. This dialogue is aimed at addressing ongoing challenges in the important U.S.-China relationship.
The meeting was the first of its kind since 2018, and it underscores ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication between the two countries. Both the U.S. and China expressed willingness to engage in constructive dialogue and work towards easing tensions. Despite differing views on certain issues, both sides recognize the importance of dialogue and communication in managing their complex relationship.
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