Sullivan Visits China, First Such Visit By US NSA Since 2016

Jake Sullivan arrived in China on Tuesday. This is the first trip by a U.S. National Security Adviser since 2016.

United States National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan arrived in China on Tuesday. Sullivan’s trip to Beijing is the first by a U.S. NSA since 2016. He has held regular talks with Wang. They last met in Bangkok in January.

The US official was greeted at Beijing airport by the Chinese foreign ministry's chief for the North American and Oceanian department, Yang Tao, and the U.S. ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns.

He arrived in China to hold talks with top Chinese officials in Beijing this week, aimed at mitigating tensions between the two nations ahead of the U.S. election in November, as reported by news agency Reuters.

Jake Sullivan, China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, and others are set to meet from Tuesday to Thursday as the two countries are at odds over several issues, including the ongoing tensions in the Middle East and Ukraine, Chinese territorial claims from Taiwan to the South China Sea, and trade.

Following his arrival in Beijing on Tuesday, Sullivan met first with Wang at a resort on the northern outskirts of Beijing. The two shook hands in front of Chinese and American flags set before an artistic depiction of the Chinese landscape.

Speaking to journalists, Wang described U.S.-China ties as “critical,” with a bearing on the world, and which have taken “twists and turns,” as reported by Reuters. Wang further stated that he hoped relations between the two nations would move to a stable, healthy condition and sustainable development.

Ahead of a closed-door meeting, the United States national security advisor said both would discuss areas of agreement and disagreement that “need to be managed effectively and substantively.”

The Chinese foreign affairs ministry said, “China will focus on expressing serious concerns, clarifying its solemn position, and making serious demands on the Taiwan issue, the right to development, and China’s strategic security,” as quoted by Reuters.

“The United States has continuously taken unreasonable measures against China in terms of tariffs, export controls, investment reviews, and unilateral sanctions, which have seriously undermined China’s legitimate rights and interests,” he added.

Both countries also look at the possibility that the Gaza war could spiral into a broader regional conflict. According to Reuters, in Beijing, the two officials could also set the path towards a final meeting between Biden and Xi. Peru hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum summit, and Brazil hosts the Group of 20 summit. The two summits are set to be held in November, during which the two can meet.