Jake Sullivan, US National Security Adviser and top aide to President Joe Biden, concluded his three-day visit to China with a significant meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on August 29. The meeting, held at the Great Hall of the People, marked the culmination of Sullivan’s talks with key Chinese officials, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Zhang Youxia.
Sullivan characterized the visit as a “true working visit,” aimed at maintaining open communication channels and responsibly managing the US-China relationship. The discussions were part of ongoing efforts to address both countries’ bilateral issues and strategic concerns. The White House announced that a call between President Biden and President Xi is expected in the coming weeks.
Chinese state media Xinhua reported that Xi Jinping reaffirmed China’s commitment to a “stable, healthy, and sustainable” relationship with the United States. Xi emphasized that both nations should be “a source of stability” for global peace and development.
During his visit, Sullivan highlighted the importance of responsible management of US-China competition through diplomacy, stressing that it need not lead to conflict. He discussed various issues, including progress on commitments made during the Woodside summit, military-to-military communication, and efforts to address global challenges such as the situation in Gaza and North Korea’s denuclearization.
Sullivan also addressed concerns about China’s support for Russia’s defense sector and its impact on European and transatlantic security. He emphasized the US administration’s priority to resolve cases of American citizens detained or subject to exit bans in China.
In his meetings with Zhang Youxia, Sullivan underscored the need for regular military communications to prevent competition from escalating into conflict. He also discussed ongoing efforts to curb the flow of illicit synthetic drugs and enhance law enforcement cooperation.
Sullivan’s visit to China included discussions on climate change, with a focus on concrete actions and future collaborations. Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy John Podesta is scheduled to travel to China for further discussions on this topic.
The US and Chinese leaders are expected to meet at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and G20 Summits later this year, providing additional opportunities for high-level dialogue and cooperation.