US-China Officials Conclude Talks on Taiwan, Military Communication, and Potential Biden-Xi Meeting

US, Chinese officials to wrap up talks on Taiwan, military communication

It is the first meeting between Zhang and a Biden administration official. Zhang is believed to be close to Xi and has survived turmoil in the country's military ranks. Sullivan will also talk further with China's top diplomat Wang Yi, seeking to calm tensions ahead of the Nov. 5. U.S. election. With their teams gathering behind closed doors at a lush resort on the outskirts of the Chinese capital, contrasting views over the Middle East and Ukraine, Chinese territorial claims from Taiwan to the South China Sea and trade are likely to be on the agenda. In lengthy meetings on Wednesday, the pair discussed the prospect of fresh talks soon between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping as well as possible communications between theatre-level military commands - a long-sought demand from Washington. "The key to the smooth development of China-U.S. interaction lies in treating each other as equals," Wang told Sullivan, according to state broadcaster CCTV. "The two sides held candid, substantive, and constructive discussions on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues," the White House said. In the final months of his presidency, Biden has pushed direct diplomacy to influence Xi and keep those tensions at bay; U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate in November's election, would likely pursue a similar strategy. However, many analysts aligned with former President and current Republican candidate Donald Trump see that approach as too soft in the face of China's increasingly assertive foreign policy. The U.S. also wants China to take more action at home to prevent the development of chemicals that can be made into fentanyl, the leading cause of U.S. drug overdoses, and reach an understanding about safety standards for artificial intelligence. Beijing plans to express its disapproval over U.S. tariffs on a range of manufactured goods and export controls targeting Chinese chip makers, and talk about its claims of sovereignty over democratically ruled Taiwan. (Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; writing by Greg Torode and editing by Lincoln Feast.)

US, Chinese officials to wrap up talks on Taiwan, military communication

U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan recently held talks in Beijing with General Zhang Youxia, a top Chinese military official and a close ally of President Xi Jinping. The discussions, which lasted three days, aimed to reduce tensions between the U.S. and China. Sullivan emphasized the importance of military communication to prevent conflicts, while Zhang acknowledged the significance the U.S. places on military security.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. Sullivan held lengthy talks on Wednesday with China's top diplomat Wang Yi, seeking to calm tension ahead of the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5. Wang and Sullivan discussed the prospect of fresh talks soon between leaders Joe Biden and Xi Jinping as well as a broad agenda that featured contrasting views on the Middle East and Ukraine, Chinese territorial claims from Taiwan to the South China Sea and trade. "The key to the smooth development of China-U.S. interaction lies in treating each other as equals," Wang told Sullivan, according to state broadcaster CCTV. "The two sides held candid, substantive, and constructive discussions on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues," the White House said. In the final months of his presidency, Biden has pushed direct diplomacy to influence Xi and keep those tensions at bay; U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate in November's election, would probably pursue a similar strategy. However, many analysts aligned with former President and current Republican candidate Donald Trump see that approach as too soft in the face of China's increasingly assertive foreign policy. The United States also wants more domestic action from China to prevent the development of chemicals that can be made into fentanyl, the leading cause of U.S. drug overdoses, and reach an understanding on safety standards for artificial intelligence. Beijing plans to express its disapproval over U.S. tariffs on a range of manufactured goods and export controls targeting Chinese chip makers, and talk about its claims of sovereignty over democratically ruled Taiwan.

US, Chinese officials to wrap up talks on Taiwan, military

Mr 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 US-China relations, I think it's a very important meeting," Mr 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 Mr 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. General Zhang is believed to be close to Mr 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. Mr Sullivan held lengthy talks on Wednesday with China's top diplomat Wang Yi, seeking to calm tension before the US presidential election on November 5. Mr Wang and Mr Sullivan discussed the prospect of fresh talks soon between leaders Joe Biden and Mr Xi, as well as a broad agenda that featured contrasting views on the Middle East and Ukraine, Chinese territorial claims from Taiwan to the South China Sea and trade. "The key to the smooth development of China-US interaction lies in treating each other as equals," Mr Wang told Mr Sullivan, according to state broadcaster CCTV. "The two sides held candid, substantive, and constructive discussions on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues," the White House said. In the final months of his presidency, Mr Biden has pushed direct diplomacy to influence Mr Xi and keep those tensions at bay; US Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate in November's election, would probably pursue a similar strategy. However, many analysts aligned with former president and current Republican candidate Donald Trump see that approach as too soft in the face of China's increasingly assertive foreign policy. The United States also wants more domestic action from China to prevent the development of chemicals that can be made into fentanyl, the leading cause of US drug overdoses, and reach an understanding on safety standards for artificial intelligence. Beijing plans to express its disapproval over US tariffs on a range of manufactured goods and export controls targeting Chinese chipmakers, and talk about its claims of sovereignty over democratically ruled Taiwan.

US, Chinese officials to wrap up

BEIJING, - 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. Sullivan held lengthy talks on Wednesday with China's top diplomat Wang Yi, seeking to calm tension ahead of the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5. Wang and Sullivan discussed the prospect of fresh talks soon between leaders Joe Biden and Xi Jinping as well as a broad agenda that featured contrasting views on the Middle East and Ukraine, Chinese territorial claims from Taiwan to the South China Sea and trade. "The key to the smooth development of China-U.S. interaction lies in treating each other as equals," Wang told Sullivan, according to state broadcaster CCTV. "The two sides held candid, substantive, and constructive discussions on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues," the White House said. In the final months of his presidency, Biden has pushed direct diplomacy to influence Xi and keep those tensions at bay; U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate in November's election, would probably pursue a similar strategy. However, many analysts aligned with former President and current Republican candidate Donald Trump see that approach as too soft in the face of China's increasingly assertive foreign policy. The United States also wants more domestic action from China to prevent the development of chemicals that can be made into fentanyl, the leading cause of U.S. drug overdoses, and reach an understanding on safety standards for artificial intelligence. Beijing plans to express its disapproval over U.S. tariffs on a range of manufactured goods and export controls targeting Chinese chip makers, and talk about its claims of sovereignty over democratically ruled Taiwan.

Chinese, US officials discuss new round of talks between Biden and Xi

Top Chinese and U.S. officials have discussed potential talks between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping, aiming to reduce tensions. High-level meetings in Beijing between top diplomats Wang Yi and Jake Sullivan touched on bilateral, regional, and global issues, including trade, Taiwan, and the South China Sea. More discussions will continue until Thursday.Top Chinese and U.S. officials discussed holding fresh talks between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping in the near future, the two countries said on Wednesday during high-level meetings in Beijing. The discussion occurred during lengthy talks between China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, and U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan held against the backdrop of sharp disagreements between the superpowers and the 2024 U.S. election race to replace Biden. Both sides also agreed to hold video calls between their military theater commanders who hold responsibility for hot spots in the Indo-Pacific region "at an appropriate time," according to the Chinese readout from the meetings, a move that Washington hopes could prevent conflict in areas like the Taiwan Strait. The White House said the talks would happen in the "near future." "The key to the smooth development of China-U.S. interaction lies in treating each other as equals," Wang told Sullivan, according to state broadcaster CCTV. "The two sides held candid, substantive, and constructive discussions on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues," the White House said. The statements followed Sullivan's second day of talks with Wang and other officials, aimed at calming tensions between the two superpowers ahead of the Nov. 5 U.S. election. Meetings between the two sides will last until Thursday and are expected to cover a range of areas where the two countries are at odds, including trade, the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, and Chinese territorial claims from Taiwan to the South China Sea. Wang told Sullivan the U.S. should "stop arming Taiwan and support peaceful 'reunification' of China," adding that "Taiwan belongs to China and that 'Taiwan independence' is the biggest risk to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait." According to the Chinese readout, Wang also expressed Beijing's disapproval of U.S. tariffs on a range of manufactured goods and export controls targeting Chinese chip makers, saying Washington should "stop jeopardizing China's legitimate interests." But a U.S. statement also stressed some areas of potential agreement, noting "shared concerns about (North Korea), Burma, and the Middle East." They also said that Biden climate adviser John Podesta would soon travel to China for talks. SOUTH CHINA SEA China, the world's second-largest economy, whose vessels have repeatedly clashed with Philippine ships in the South China Sea, said the U.S. "must not undermine China's sovereignty ... nor support Philippines' 'infringing acts.'" Manila and Washington have a mutual defense treaty and the U.S. has vowed to aid the Philippines against armed attacks on its vessels and soldiers in the South China Sea. In the final months of his presidency, Biden has pushed direct diplomacy to influence Xi to help keep tensions at bay. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate in the November election, is expected to pursue a similar strategy if she is elected. In April, Biden and Xi navigated their countries' disagreements in a phone call, after deciding to significantly improve bilateral ties during a summit in San Francisco last November following a period of deep division over trade and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many analysts aligned with Republican former President Donald Trump see that approach as too soft, in the face of a more assertive Chinese foreign policy. Trump is his party's presidential candidate again in the November election. The U.S. also wants China to take more action at home to prevent the development of chemicals that can be made into fentanyl, the leading cause of U.S. drug overdoses, and reach an understanding on safety standards for artificial intelligence.

Chinese, US officials discuss new round of talks between Biden and Xi

BEIJING: Top Chinese and United States officials discussed holding fresh talks between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping in the near future, the two countries said on Wednesday during high-level meetings in Beijing. The discussion occurred during lengthy talks between China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, and US national security adviser Jake Sullivan held against the backdrop of sharp disagreements between the superpowers and the 2024 US election race to replace Biden. Both sides also agreed to hold video calls between their military theater commanders who hold responsibility for hot spots in the Indo-Pacific region "at an appropriate time," according to the Chinese readout from the meetings, a move that Washington hopes could prevent conflict in areas like the Taiwan Strait. The White House said the talks would happen in the "near future." "The key to the smooth development of China-US interaction lies in treating each other as equals," Wang told Sullivan, according to state broadcaster CCTV. "The two sides held candid, substantive, and constructive discussions on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues," the White House said. The statements followed Sullivan's second day of talks with Wang and other officials, aimed at calming tensions between the two superpowers ahead of the November 5 US election. Meetings between the two sides will last until Thursday. Wang told Sullivan the US should "stop arming Taiwan and support peaceful 'reunification' of China," adding that "Taiwan belongs to China and that 'Taiwan independence' is the biggest risk to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait." According to the Chinese readout, Wang also expressed Beijing's disapproval of US tariffs on a range of manufactured goods and export controls targeting Chinese chip makers, saying Washington should "stop jeopardizing China's legitimate interests." But a US statement also stressed some areas of potential agreement, noting "shared concerns about (North Korea), Burma, and the Middle East." The US also wants China to take more action at home to prevent the development of chemicals that can be made into fentanyl, the leading cause of US drug overdoses, and reach an understanding on safety standards for artificial intelligence. China, the world's second-largest economy, whose vessels have repeatedly clashed with Philippine ships in the South China Sea, said the US "must not undermine China's sovereignty [...] nor support Philippines' 'infringing acts.'" Manila and Washington have a mutual defense treaty and the US has vowed to aid the Philippines against armed attacks on its vessels and soldiers in the South China Sea.