United States national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, recently met with top Chinese military official, General Zhang Youxia, in Beijing to discuss a range of security issues in an effort to strengthen communication between the two superpowers. During the talks, the NSA raised concerns about stability in the Taiwan Strait, US commitment to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, China’s support for Russia’s defense industry, and efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.
Zhang emphasized that Taiwan is a red line that cannot be crossed in China-US relations and demanded that the US stop military collusion with Taiwan and spreading false narratives related to the island. Despite these tensions, Sullivan and Zhang arranged for more direct military talks between commanders in the future.
Additionally, Sullivan met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who reaffirmed China’s commitment to stable relations with the US and expressed hope for cooperation. Talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi indicated efforts to calm tensions and discuss a range of issues ahead of the US presidential election.
The United States reaffirmed its commitment to defending its Indo-Pacific allies, particularly against China’s actions in the South China Sea. Attempts at closer cooperation between the two countries come after a period of suspended communication following a visit to Taiwan by US lawmaker Nancy Pelosi. Talks were gradually resumed after a meeting between Xi and Biden at a summit outside San Francisco.
Overall, the recent discussions aim to defuse tensions between the US and China on various security issues and provide a framework for future military talks and cooperation.
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