U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan held wide-ranging talks with one of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s top military officials on Thursday, wrapping up three days of talks in Beijing intended to ease tension between the two superpowers.
Sullivan pushed for enhanced working-level military to military communications in the session with General Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of China’s paramount military body, the Central Military Commission.
The meeting was the first between Zhang and a Biden administration official, and the first between a senior U.S. official and a vice chair of the commission since 2018.
“Your request for having this meeting with me demonstrates the value the U.S. government puts on military security and our military-to-military relationship,” Zhang said as the two met at the headquarters of the People’s Liberation Army.
Sullivan described the meeting as a “rare” event, and stressed that both countries had a responsibility to prevent competition from veering into conflict or confrontation.
“Given the state of the world and the need for us to responsibly manage U.S.-China relations, I think it’s a very important meeting,” Sullivan replied.
Both referred to progress in military communications and arrangements for theatre-level commanders to speak soon by telephone, which the United States has pushed for amid increased regional deployments.
The White House said Sullivan also stressed the need for stability across the Taiwan Strait and freedom of navigation in the disputed South China Sea, a vital trade waterway.
The United States also raised concerns about China’s support for Russia’s defence industrial base.
Zhang is believed to be close to Xi and has survived turmoil in China’s military ranks. Western and Asian diplomats say he is more powerful than the defence minister, who more frequently meets foreign officials.
The United States also raised concerns about China’s support for Russia’s defence industrial base.
Zhang is believed to be close to Xi and has survived turmoil in China’s military ranks. Western and Asian diplomats say he is more powerful than the defence minister, who more frequently meets foreign officials.