Xi Jinping and Jake Sullivan Discuss Future China-U.S. Presidential Interaction
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Beijing, marking a significant step toward improving China-U.S. relations. The meeting emphasized the importance of developing a correct strategic perception between the two nations and discussed the possibility of future interactions between President Xi and U.S. President Joe Biden in the near term.
Emphasizing the Right Strategic Perception
During the meeting at the Great Hall of the People, President Xi highlighted the need for China and the United States to develop a “right strategic perception” of each other. “When China and the United States, two major countries, engage with each other, the number one issue is to develop a right strategic perception,” Xi stated. He emphasized that both countries should view each other’s development as an opportunity rather than a challenge.
President Xi underscored China’s commitment to peaceful development and its focus on managing its own affairs. He stated that China’s foreign policy is open and transparent, with strategic intentions that are consistent and stable. “In this changing and turbulent world, countries need solidarity and coordination, not division or confrontation,” Xi said. “People want openness and progress, not exclusion or regress.”
Strengthening China-U.S. Relations
Xi expressed hope that the United States would work with China in the same direction, fostering mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. He emphasized that both countries should be responsible for history, the people, and the world, acting as sources of stability and propellers for common development.
The Chinese president reiterated China’s unwavering commitment to a stable, healthy, and sustainable China-U.S. relationship. He outlined that China’s principles in handling the relationship—based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation—remain unchanged. Xi also stressed China’s determination to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and development interests.
Key Outcomes of Sullivan’s Visit
Jake Sullivan’s visit marked the first trip to China by a U.S. national security advisor in eight years. Over three days, Sullivan engaged in strategic communications with Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, totaling more than 11 hours across six sessions. Sullivan also met with Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission.
Yang Tao, director general of the Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provided key takeaways from the visit. He noted that the two sides discussed arranging a new round of interaction between President Xi and President Biden in the near term. “This will be conducive to further leveraging the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy and bringing stability and certainty to China-U.S. relations,” Yang said.
The two sides agreed on several specific matters, including holding a video call between military theater commanders and conducting the second round of intergovernmental dialogue on artificial intelligence.
Four Red Lines in China-U.S. Relations
During the strategic communication, the Chinese side outlined four “red lines” in China-U.S. relations: issues concerning Taiwan, democracy and human rights, China’s development path and system, and China’s right to development. Yang emphasized the importance of respecting these red lines to maintain stable bilateral relations.
Looking Ahead
The discussions between President Xi and Jake Sullivan signal a potential improvement in China-U.S. relations and highlight the commitment from both sides to enhance communication and cooperation. With plans for future presidential interactions and agreements on specific matters, there is cautious optimism about the trajectory of the bilateral relationship.
“As two major countries, China and the United States should be responsible for history, for the people, and for the world,” Xi stated. “We should be a source of stability for world peace and a propeller for common development.”
Reference(s):
MFA official's briefing: Key takeaways from Sullivan's China visit
cgtn.com
