Jake Sullivan’s visit to Beijing is taking place against the backdrop of China’s aggressive actions towards the Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan has arrived in Beijing for a three-day visit ahead of the upcoming U.S. general election in November and recent statements condemning China’s aggression in the South China Sea. Sullivan is set to hold discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, focusing on various key issues such as advancing counternarcotics cooperation, military communication, and AI safety and risk discussions. The communication channel between Sullivan and Wang has played a crucial role in managing competition and tension between the two countries. Sullivan’s trip comes amidst escalating aggression by China towards its neighboring countries, particularly the Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan. This includes recent actions in the South China Sea that prompted the U.S. State Department to issue a statement in August condemning China’s behavior. During the briefing about Sullivan’s visit, it was mentioned that discussions between Sullivan and Wang will also cover topics such as North Korea, the Middle East, Burma, and U.S. concerns about China’s support for Russia’s defense industrial base. The visit is not directly tied to the U.S. election, and Sullivan will speak about how the current administration intends to manage the transition to the next administration. The trip is seen as a way to stabilize Sino-U.S. ties and prevent misunderstandings between the two countries.
Despite facing international backlash, China continues to assert ownership claims in the South China Sea that overlap with other countries’ recognized waters.
“The risk is that an attack on the Philippines will lead to general conflict in the region.”
Luo Ya and Reuters contributed to the report.