Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his hopes for a positive and constructive relationship with the United States during a meeting with U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan. Despite escalating tensions between the two countries in recent years, Xi emphasized China’s commitment to a stable, healthy, and sustainable relationship with the U.S. He called for finding the “right way” for the two major countries to get along with each other.
Jake Sullivan’s visit to Beijing marks his first trip to China as national security advisor to the outgoing Biden administration. He held meetings with top Chinese officials, including Wang Yi and Zhang Youxia, to discuss various issues of mutual concern. While the last official trip to China by a U.S. president’s national security advisor dates back to 2016, the current visit comes at a crucial time in the bilateral relationship.
In the midst of uncertainties surrounding the outcome of the U.S. presidential election, the White House announced that President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping are scheduled to speak by phone in the “coming weeks.” This communication is expected to address key issues and pave the way for future engagements between the two nations. Both leaders are likely to discuss strategies for managing their differences and fostering cooperation on shared challenges.
The issue of being tough on Beijing has emerged as a rare point of agreement between the two major U.S. political parties. Despite the political divide on various domestic and international issues, there is a consensus on the need to adopt a firm stance towards China’s growing influence and assertiveness. Notably, President Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race and his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee have reshaped the political landscape in the lead-up to the election.
The ongoing developments in China-U.S. relations underscore the complexities and challenges inherent in managing one of the most critical bilateral relationships in the world today. As leaders on both sides seek to navigate the evolving geopolitical landscape, the importance of sustained dialogue, mutual respect, and pragmatic cooperation cannot be overstated. The upcoming phone call between Presidents Biden and Xi offers an opportunity to chart a course for constructive engagement and meaningful cooperation on a range of global issues.