The go to included discussions with Chinese language Overseas Minister Wang Yi and high navy officers, emphasizing the necessity to stop competitors from escalating into battle.
Dedication to
Sullivan careworn the significance of diplomacy in managing US-China relations, saying, “We imagine that competitors with China doesn’t should result in battle or confrontation. The bottom line is accountable administration by means of diplomacy.” This effort comes as each nations search to stabilize relations forward of potential adjustments within the US presidency in January, reported the AP.
Xi Jinping echoed this sentiment, affirming China’s dedication to a secure relationship with the USA. “Whereas nice adjustments have taken place within the two international locations and in China-US relations, China’s dedication to the aim of a secure, wholesome, and sustainable China-US relationship stays unchanged,” he mentioned.
Sullivan added that President Biden is devoted to managing this consequential relationship responsibly, guaranteeing that competitors does not escalate into battle.
Plans have been made for a telephone name between Xi and Biden within the coming weeks, with the potential for an in-person assembly at important worldwide summits later this 12 months. Sullivan famous, “The chances are they will each be there, and if they’re, it will solely be pure for them to have the possibility to sit down down with each other.”
Delicate points and
The discussions additionally addressed delicate subjects, together with Taiwan, the South China Sea, and China’s help for Russia. On Taiwan, Gen. Zhang Youxia, certainly one of China’s vice chairs of the Central Army Fee, emphasised, “Reunification of Taiwan with the mainland is ‘the mission and duty’ of the navy,” demanding that the US stop navy interactions with Taiwan.
Sullivan acknowledged the rarity of such exchanges and underscored their significance. “It’s uncommon that we’ve the chance to have this sort of change,” Sullivan mentioned. The assembly resulted in an settlement for a name between navy commanders within the Indo-Pacific area, which Sullivan described as a “very constructive consequence.”
Efforts to handle tensions
A White Home assertion acknowledged progress in sustaining military-to-military communications, referencing the upcoming theatre-level name. Danny Russel of the Asia Society Coverage Institute highlighted the importance of Sullivan’s assembly with Xi, noting that Sullivan was seen by the Chinese language management as “a direct extension” of President Biden, and his messaging was seen as “coming straight from Biden.”
Sullivan’s go to underscored the fragile stability of US-China relations as each nations navigate their aggressive however interdependent relationship.
