High-ranking White House official emphasizes efforts to prevent conflict between US and China during negotiations in Beijing

The United States and China are engaged in talks aimed at preventing their competition from escalating into conflict, according to a senior White House official. Jake Sullivan, the U.S. national security adviser, is meeting with Wang Yi, a key foreign policy official for Chinese leader Xi Jinping, in a picturesque lake area near Beijing over a two-day period.

Sullivan emphasized President Joe Biden’s commitment to responsibly managing the important relationship with China during a pre-meeting discussion. The purpose of the visit, scheduled through Thursday, is to maintain communication in a relationship that faced significant challenges in 2022 and 2023 but has been gradually repaired over the past few months. Although no major announcements are anticipated, the discussions could set the stage for a potential final summit between Biden and Xi Jinping before Biden’s term ends in January.

Both sides acknowledged the twists and turns the China-U.S. relationship has experienced in recent years, underscoring the importance of mutual respect, peaceful co-existence, and cooperation for mutual benefit. Experts stress the need to avoid any crises in the remaining months of Biden’s presidency, as it could impact the trajectory of U.S.-China relations under the next administration.

The Biden administration’s firm stance towards China, considering it a strategic competitor, has included restrictions on Chinese companies’ access to advanced technology and addressing China’s growing influence in regions like Taiwan and the South China Sea. Past incidents, such as a visit by a senior U.S. lawmaker to Taiwan and a surveillance balloon incident, have strained relations further.

Sullivan has played a key role in facilitating discussions with Wang, who also serves as the Chinese foreign minister and the Communist Party’s top foreign policy official. Their ongoing talks have aimed to stabilize relations, following initial discussions in Vienna in May 2023 and subsequent meetings in Malta and Thailand. This week’s talks in Beijing signify another effort to keep the communication channels open.

While both countries continue to engage on issues like climate, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has described the current state of relations with the U.S. as critical, accusing the U.S. of constraining and suppressing China. Additionally, Canada has announced its decision to match the U.S.’s 100% import tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles, following encouragement from Sullivan during discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Cabinet members.