In an effort to stabilize and enhance one of the world’s most critical bilateral relationships, Director of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Wang Yi and U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan held multiple rounds of meetings in Malta recently. The discussions signify a continued commitment by both Beijing and Washington to maintain high-level interactions and address pressing issues in the Asia-Pacific, maritime security, and foreign policy.
The meetings between Wang Yi and Jake Sullivan are the latest in a series of high-profile exchanges aimed at restoring communication between the two nations. With global challenges such as climate change and international security requiring joint efforts, China and the U.S. recognize the importance of collaboration to manage differences and avoid conflict.
Highlighting the need for cooperation, Chinese President Xi Jinping, on September 12, wrote to Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation Chairman Jeffrey Greene and Flying Tigers veterans Harry Moyer and Mel McMullen, emphasizing that China and the U.S. share responsibilities for international peace, stability, and prosperity.
Further demonstrating commitment to global issues, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry on September 19 during the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York. Han Zheng stated that climate change negotiations between China and the U.S. are important not only for both nations but also for the world.
Despite existing tensions, these high-level discussions and engagements are noteworthy steps toward shaping the future relationship between China and the U.S. Recent diplomatic activities, including the resumption of negotiations between Wang Yi and Jake Sullivan, indicate a mutual desire to find common ground.
However, the Taiwan question remains a critical red line in China-U.S. relations. Wang Yi stressed that the U.S. must honor the three China-U.S. joint communiques and refrain from supporting “Taiwan independence.” He emphasized that China’s development is driven by strong internal factors following a historical trajectory that cannot be halted, asserting that “the Chinese people cannot be deprived of their legitimate right to development.”
Both sides agreed to implement the consensus reached at the Bali meeting, maintain high-level interactions, and conduct dialogues on Asia-Pacific affairs, maritime issues, and foreign policies. They also discussed ways to enhance people-to-people exchanges, acknowledging that adherence to the one-China principle is crucial for the stability of bilateral ties.
As the two global powers navigate their complex relationship, continuous communication and constructive dialogue remain essential to address shared challenges and foster mutual understanding.
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The importance of continuous China-U.S. bilateral communication
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