With tensions between the two largest economies in the world escalating in recent years, the relationship between the United States and China remains strained across various sectors including trade, finance, and technology. The Biden administration has emphasized responsible management of the current US-China relationship, aiming to prevent competition from turning into conflict. In contrast, the Chinese officials have focused more on discussing the long-term goals of the bilateral relationship while avoiding specific short-term measures.
During his three-day visit to China, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Deputy Chairman of the Central Military Commission Zhang Youxia, and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday afternoon. Sullivan became the first US National Security Advisor in eight years to be invited to visit China, and the only White House official to meet with China’s top leaders and military officials during his visit.
The Biden administration has been advocating for strategic engagement with China, and Sullivan emphasized the importance of direct diplomacy during a press conference at the conclusion of his visit on Thursday. He stressed that visiting Beijing at this particular moment was crucial for responsible management of the bilateral relationship.
The US-China relationship experienced a period of communication breakdown between 2022 and 2023, which gradually resumed after several months of interactions. The Biden administration has been seeking communication between high-level US and Chinese military officials to prevent conflicts or misunderstandings. Sullivan, during his meeting with Zhang Youxia, described it as a significant meeting considering the global situation and the need for responsible management of the US-China relationship.
Sullivan highlighted the priority of securing the release of American citizens wrongfully detained or restricted from leaving China, while also addressing concerns about China’s unfair trade practices, non-market economic methods, and its support for Russia in the Ukraine conflict. Discussions during the meetings touched upon sensitive military issues, as well as topics like the Taiwan Strait, South China Sea, and Chinese cyberattacks.
Sullivan expressed concerns during his meetings with Chinese officials regarding China’s increasing restrictions on cross-border data flows, complaints from foreign companies about unclear data regulations and preferential treatment for domestic companies, as well as concerns about Chinese companies receiving government subsidies and selling products domestically and abroad at significantly lower prices.
“We had intense discussions on these issues, and it’s clear that we didn’t reach a consensus,” Sullivan said.
He pledged to continue safeguarding US cutting-edge technology from being used for military purposes by China and reaffirmed the “decoupling” strategy, which has been incorporated into the Democratic Party’s platform. This strategy calls for orderly competition with Beijing while protecting a certain amount of sensitive US technology from reaching China through targeted restrictions. Additionally, collaboration with China in areas that serve US and global interests, such as addressing climate change, combating fentanyl trafficking, and advancing artificial intelligence, is also emphasized.
Just a month ago, President Biden withdrew from the presidential race and endorsed Vice President Harris as the Democratic presidential candidate. The White House announced plans for a phone call between Biden and Xi in the “coming weeks,” with Sullivan indicating that the two leaders are likely to meet later this year on the sidelines of a multilateral summit.
As part of the channel to maintain open communication between the Biden administration and Beijing, Sullivan and Wang Yi hold face-to-face meetings every few months, a mechanism known as the “strategic channel.” Following their meeting on Wednesday, Sullivan and Wang Yi announced plans for the two leaders to have a call in the coming weeks, paving the way for a final multilateral meeting between Biden and Xi in Peru and Brazil after the US election.
Sullivan revealed on Thursday that a potential Biden-Xi meeting would be “natural,” resembling previous APEC and G20 meetings, but he did not make any commitments regarding the outcome. Reflecting on about 14 hours of talks in Beijing, including his first one-on-one meeting with Xi, Sullivan mentioned raising the topic of the US elections, warning against any foreign interference and acknowledging China’s sensitivity to the issue. However, he declined to disclose the specific questions Chinese officials raised about the US elections.
“I was able to share my experience and perspectives on working closely with Vice President Harris and the role she has played over the past four years,” he said.
Sullivan noted that his visit to China was one of the efforts to manage the bilateral relationship before the inauguration of the new US president in January next year.
“They (Beijing) understand that elections are a sensitive period,” Sullivan stated during the press briefing, emphasizing that he cautioned China in each meeting not to interfere in US elections and underscored that it is an internal choice for Americans.
He informed Beijing that Harris has been a “core member” of the Biden foreign policy team, known to senior Chinese leaders, including her meetings with Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang.
Sullivan explained that Harris “endorses” Biden’s view of managing competition responsibly to avoid confrontation, with high-level communication being a method to manage competition.
With less than 70 days left until the US election, Bloomberg reported that Sullivan’s trip aimed to set boundaries in the US-China relationship as Beijing prepares for potential changes in the US political landscape. What is certain is that regardless of the election outcome, the US will have another president with a tough stance on China.
The Wall Street Journal noted that for the past few months, China’s leadership has been preparing for a possible return of the Trump administration, which could bring unpredictability. However, Vice President Harris taking office as a strong challenger for the US presidency has led Beijing to believe they can strengthen the delicate relationship formed over the past year.
Sun Yun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center, an influential Washington think tank, mentioned in an interview with the Chinese media that China is currently in a wait-and-see mode.
Earlier on Thursday, China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency published a statement by Xi Jinping, expressing Beijing’s hope for Washington to find “the right path” in managing relations.
In contrast to Presidents Biden and Trump, who are familiar figures to Beijing, Harris poses a unique challenge as she is essentially an unknown entity to China. Her performance in potential US-China crises presents uncertainties, and Beijing may ultimately look for clues based on the senior advisors she selects on China policy.
Harris’s current National Security Advisor, Phil Gordon, stated in May during a Foreign Relations Committee event that the “China challenge” is greater than Taiwan, emphasizing the need to ensure that Beijing does not possess the capability to challenge US advanced technology, intelligence, and military might.
Republican candidate Trump has always taken a hardline stance on China, proposing a 60% tariff on all Chinese exports, a move that UBS estimates could halve China’s annual economic growth rate.
According to the Financial Times, there have been unsuccessful attempts by Beijing to establish contacts with the Trump campaign team over the past few months.
Steve Yates, chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan and a former White House official, stated that meetings between the Trump team and Chinese officials were “almost never helpful,” with the former president’s views on China well-known and contact with Chinese authorities carrying the risk of being “misinterpreted.” He added that the ex-president’s campaign team is currently focused on the November election.