Top officials from the United States and China had open talks in Malta over the weekend. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed crucial matters as both countries work on stabilizing their relationship, which has been rocky due to trade disputes and military concerns in the Pacific.
During the two-day meeting, Wang Yi emphasized the importance of Taiwan, an island claimed by China but with self-governance. He labeled Taiwan a “red line” in Sino-US relations, while the US vowed to protect Taiwan if needed. The White House emphasized the significance of peace in the Taiwan Strait and a commitment to continued strategic communication.
The Chinese government’s statement echoed the US version, describing the discussions as candid and constructive.
China has accused the US of weaponizing technology and trade for national security purposes, while the US has expressed concerns about China’s military ambitions in Taiwan and the Pacific, forming security alliances to counter China’s influence.
This meeting is part of a series of high-level talks between the US and China, possibly setting the stage for a meeting between President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping later this year. The previous meeting between Sullivan and Wang took place in Vienna in May.
The talks covered a range of topics, including the bilateral relationship, global and regional security, Russia’s actions in Ukraine, and the situation in the Taiwan Strait.
Both sides committed to maintaining this strategic channel of communication and pursuing further high-level engagement in key areas between the United States and China in the coming months.
President Biden expressed disappointment at President Xi’s absence from the recent G20 summit in India but hopes for a meeting at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco in November.
To ensure continued communication amid tensions, US officials, including Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, have visited China this year. Tensions escalated when the US military shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon in US airspace.
Notably, President Xi did not attend the recent G20 summit and is not expected at the United Nations General Assembly this month. The two leaders have not spoken directly since their last meeting in Indonesia in November of the previous year.
