President Joe Biden is planning to send his national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, to China in an effort to focus on foreign policy during the final months of his term in office. Sullivan is expected to meet with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, next week, marking his first visit to China. The purpose of the visit is to address the complex relationship between the United States and China, particularly on economic matters.
This visit comes as President Biden is on vacation in California’s Santa Ynez Valley. It is seen as a strategic move that could potentially pave the way for another meeting between Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The two leaders previously met last November in Northern California, discussing various issues including combatting illegal fentanyl and reestablishing military communications.
Despite some agreements reached during their previous meeting, such as on specific security matters, deep-seated differences remain between the two countries on economic competition and global security threats. Biden and Xi are both working towards stabilizing their relationship amidst disagreements on various topics, including export controls, tensions over Taiwan, and international conflicts.
The visit by Sullivan is significant as both potential successors to President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, and former President Donald Trump, a Republican, have expressed intentions to implement robust policies towards China. This visit underscores the importance of ongoing diplomatic efforts between the United States and China to navigate their complex relationship.
