US, PRC Officials Meet Ahead of Possible Biden-Xi Summit

Facts

• White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi have completed a two-day meeting on the island of Malta, in what was described by the White House as an attempt to 'responsibly maintain the relationship' between the two nations.¹
• With the talks spanning over 12 hours between Sept. 16-17, the White House said that both sides were committed to maintaining the 'strategic channel of communication' between the two countries.²
• A statement by the Chinese government also affirmed that the two countries 'conducted candid, substantive and constructive strategic communication.' Sullivan last met with Wang in Vienna, Austria, in May.³
• Beijing's statement claims that Wang presented the issue of Taiwan to Sullivan as a 'red line that cannot be crossed in Sino-US relations.' The White House's statement noted that the US recognized 'the importance of peace and stability' concerning the Taiwan Strait.⁴
• The White House also revealed that the officials discussed global security issues, the US and China's 'bilateral relationship,' as well as the Russian invasion of Ukraine among other topics. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken as well as Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo have visited Beijing in recent months in an attempt to thaw relations between the two countries.⁵
• US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping last met at the 2022 G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia. This month, Biden stated that he would 'get to see' Xi in the future following his absence from the latest G20 meeting in India.⁶

Sources: ¹Associated Press, ²Reuters, ³Al Jazeera, ⁴Dw.com, ⁵Politico and ⁶Cna.

Narratives

• Pro-China narrative, as provided by Chinadaily. After what can be considered an upbeat and positive meeting between Wang and Sullivan, it would seem that both nations are seeking to restore effective communication between the two powers and minimize the potential for conflict. Although the US continues to antagonize Beijing with its actions, China continues to attempt to provide an olive branch and show Washington that the two states can coexist peacefully and respectfully.
• Anti-China narrative, as provided by Koreajoongangdaily. While speculation is rife that Xi Jinping has continued to intentionally avoid Biden, US pressure on Beijing for its domestic and international behavior remains strong. China will not be able to reach its goals in the existing global order via continued threat of conflict – Beijing must continue its decades-long path of responsible development and reform, or face turmoil.

Predictions