US National Security Advisor Meets Chinese President; Sullivan: Biden is 'Committed to Managing Relations' Between the Two Countries

Jake Sullivan, the US National Security Advisor, met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, September 8. Sullivan, who has been in China for the past three days, held extensive discussions with officials in the country aimed at reducing tensions between the two global powers. According to Reuters, Xi told Sullivan that Beijing is committed to a stable relationship with Washington. The Chinese President stated, "In this changing and turbulent world, countries need solidarity and coordination... not rejection or regression." Jake Sullivan also told Xi that President Biden is committed to managing relations to prevent conflict and is "looking forward to engaging with you in the coming weeks." The US National Security Advisor also met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday. Upon arriving in the Chinese capital, Sullivan expressed eagerness for "very constructive dialogues" with the Chinese Foreign Minister. He said, "We are entering a wide range of topics, including those we agree on and those... where there are still disagreements that need to be effectively and fundamentally managed." Wang Yi also expressed eagerness for "real" and "constructive" dialogues during Sullivan's visit to Beijing. This is the first time since 2016 that a US National Security Advisor has visited China. Wang Yi referred to the framework established by Biden and Xi during their discussions last year in San Francisco and stated that he wants both sides to "help the China-US relationship move towards the San Francisco vision." An American official prior to the National Security Advisor's trip indicated that he would discuss the South China Sea with Chinese officials in Beijing, including Wang Yi. The official did not specify whether Washington expects progress from this trip. Japan and the Philippines, Washington's allies, have recently accused China of escalating regional tensions. Japan accused Beijing of violating its airspace, while Manila considers China the "biggest disruptor" of peace in Southeast Asia. The American official noted that the US will pressure China regarding the increased "military, diplomatic, and economic pressure" on Taiwan, the self-governing democratic island that Beijing considers part of its territory and has not ruled out annexing by force. Jake Sullivan will also reiterate US concerns regarding China's support for the expansion of Russia's defense industries since the country's invasion of Ukraine.