US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan Travels to China

Facts

• US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan landed in Beijing on Tuesday for talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Though they have met four times in the past 16 months, Sullivan will meet him for the first time in China on his maiden visit to the East Asian country.^[1]
• Sullivan reportedly seeks to discuss expanding military communications with Beijing, curbing the PRC's fentanyl production, and preventing conflict over China's support of Russia. Wang is expected to focus on the US position on Taiwan and Washington's export controls on Chinese chip makers.^[2]
• Before their closed-door meeting, Wang told reporters that US-China ties are 'critical' for world affairs, with Sullivan adding that disagreements must be managed 'effectively and substantively.'^[3]
• A US official said that the two would also discuss China's territorial claims in the South China Sea and the 'military, diplomatic and economic pressure' the PRC places on Taiwan, a self-governing island Beijing claims is part of its territory.^[4]
• China's foreign ministry said the talks will emphasize that Taiwan is 'the first and foremost red line that must not be crossed,' while other 'arbitrary measures' will also be discussed, such as sanctions placed on Chinese figures the US claims are connected to Russia's war in Ukraine.^[5][6]
• China-US relations worsened after the 2022 visit of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan. Sullivan and Wang first met in May 2023 in Austria, with successive meetings in third countries leading to the Beijing trip.^[7]

Sources: ^[1]BBC News, ^[2]New York Times, ^[3]Reuters, ^[4]Al Jazeera, ^[5]fmprc.gov.cn, ^[6]South China Morning Post and ^[7]Associated Press.

Narratives

• Pro-China narrative, as provided by Globaltimes. Relationships are built on mutual understanding, and this meeting must emphasize that the US needs to come to terms with China's unshakeable stance on Taiwan. China seeks cordial relations with all nations that want to do business with them, but the US insists on using Taiwan as a cudgel against China and stirring up tensions. This practice must cease in order for relations between the US and China to improve.
• Anti-China narrative, as provided by Voice of America. China is isolating itself from the rest of the world with its anti-competitive practices and bellicose maneuvers in the South China Sea. In light of this fact, the US is reaching out to ensure that a military confrontation never comes to pass and that communications remain open. The ball is now in China's court as to whether it accepts the olive branch.

Predictions