PEKINGNOLOGY Readouts of Wang Yi - Jake Sullivan meeting in Beijing Xi-Biden phone call likely to happen soon. Zichen Wang Aug 28, 2024

 PEKINGNOLOGY 

Readouts of Wang Yi - Jake Sullivan meeting in Beijing

Xi-Biden phone call likely to happen soon.

Zichen Wang

Aug 28, 2024

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China and the U.S. have just concluded their so-called strategic communication in Beijing. For background, Demetri Sevastopulo had a well-circulated “Big Read” in the Financial Times several days ago.

Below are the two countries’ official readouts, and one immediate takeaway is that Xi Jinping and Joseph Biden may soon have a phone call. Beijing’s readout is more explicit on this, saying, “The two sides discussed a new round of interaction between their heads of state shortly, “ while Washington only says the two countries are “committed to maintaining high-level diplomacy.“

From China’s foreign ministry

王毅同美国总统国家安全事务助理沙利文举行战略沟通

Wang Yi holds strategic communication with U.S. National Security Advisor Sullivan

From August 27 to 28, 2024, Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, held a new round of strategic communication with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Beijing. The discussions were candid, substantive, and constructive.

Wang Yi emphasized that China-U.S. relations have experienced ups and downs, and reflecting on the lessons learned can help pave the way for a better future, finding the right way for the two major powers to coexist.

1. Maintaining the Correct Direction in China-U.S. Relations: The key lies in the steering and guidance provided by the leaders of the two nations. Both sides should adhere to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, implementing the consensus reached by the two heads of state to promote the stable, healthy, and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations.

2. In avoiding conflict and confrontation, the key is to abide by the three joint communiqués. It is essential to uphold the political foundation of diplomatic relations between the two countries, respect China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, respect China's political system and development path, and respect the legitimate development rights of the Chinese people.

3. In smooth Interaction between China and the U.S., the key is to treat each other as equals. Conducting interactions based on the position of strength is not the right way for nations to engage.

4. In ensuring stable and long-term China-U.S. Relations, the key lies in consolidating public support. More bridges and avenues should be built for people-to-people exchanges, rather than creating obstacles.

5. Achieving peaceful coexistence, the key is to establish the right perception. China is committed to improving the well-being of its people domestically and making a greater contribution to global peace and development externally. The U.S. should not project its own path onto China or mirror China with the template of "a strong nation must dominate."

Wang Yi also introduced the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee, emphasizing that this meeting marks a new milestone in China's reform and opening up, offering new perspectives for understanding China and new opportunities for common development among nations.

Wang Yi reiterated that Taiwan is part of China and that China will inevitably achieve reunification. "Taiwan independence" poses the greatest risk to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The U.S. should implement its commitment to not support "Taiwan independence," adhere to the one-China principle and the three Sino-U.S. joint communiqués, stop arming Taiwan and support China's peaceful reunification.

Wang Yi stressed that the security of all countries must be collective, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable; a country’s security should not be built on the insecurity of others. There should be clear boundaries in national security, particularly in the economic domain, and these boundaries should be scientifically defined. The U.S. should stop suppressing China in the areas of economy and technology and stop undermining China's legitimate interests. Using "overcapacity" as an excuse for protectionism will only harm global green development and impact world economic growth.

Wang Yi emphasized China's firm stance on safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea, and maintaining the seriousness and effectiveness of the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea." The U.S. should not harm China's sovereignty and territorial integrity under the pretext of bilateral treaties, nor should it support or condone acts of infringement by the Philippines.

Sullivan stated that while there are differences and competition between the U.S. and China, there are also many areas where cooperation is needed. He agreed that both sides should treat each other equally, and competition should be healthy and fair. The U.S. has no intention of decoupling from China. The U.S. adheres to the one-China policy, does not support "Taiwan independence," does not support "two Chinas," and does not support "one China, one Taiwan." The U.S. and China will coexist peacefully on this planet for a long time, and the U.S. policy goal is to find ways for sustainable development in U.S.-China relations. The U.S. is willing to continue strategic communication with China, enhance mutual understanding, and reduce misunderstandings and misjudgments.

The two sides also exchanged views on issues such as Ukraine, the Middle East, and the Korean Peninsula. Wang Yi stated that China has always been committed to promoting peace talks and pushing for a political solution to the Ukraine crisis, and we will continue to do what is right. The U.S. should not shift responsibility onto China or resort to illegal unilateral sanctions.

The two sides discussed a new round of interaction between their heads of state in the near future. They agreed to continue implementing the important consensus reached at the San Francisco meeting. They agreed to maintain high-level exchanges and communication at all levels, continue cooperation in areas such as drug control, law enforcement, and the repatriation of illegal immigrants, as well as tackling climate change. They also agreed to hold a video call between the theater leaders of the two countries’ militaries and the second round of the China-U.S. intergovernmental dialogue on artificial intelligence at an appropriate time.

From the White House

Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s meeting with Chinese Communist Party Politburo Member, Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met on August 27-28 with Chinese Communist Party Politburo Member, Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi outside Beijing, China.  This meeting was part of ongoing efforts to maintain channels of communication and responsibly manage the relationship between the United States and the People’s Republic of China (PRC), as discussed by President Biden and President Xi at the November 2023 Woodside Summit.  

The two sides held candid, substantive, and constructive discussions on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues.  They discussed progress and next steps on implementation of the Woodside Summit commitments, including counternarcotics, military-to-military communications, and AI safety and risk.  Both sides welcomed ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication, including planning for a leader-level call in the coming weeks.  They noted the importance of regular, ongoing military-to-military communications and planned to hold a theater commander telephone call in the near future.  Mr. Sullivan and Director Wang discussed next steps to reduce the flow of illicit synthetic drugs, continue repatriation of undocumented migrants, and law enforcement cooperation.  They underscored the importance of concrete steps to tackle the climate crisis and welcomed further discussions during Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy John Podesta’s upcoming travel to China. 

Mr. Sullivan emphasized that the United States will continue to take necessary actions to prevent advanced U.S. technologies from being used to undermine our national security, without unduly limiting trade or investment.  He also raised continued concerns about the PRC’s unfair trade policies and non-market economic practices.  Mr. Sullivan reiterated that it remains a top priority to resolve the cases of American citizens who are wrongfully detained or subject to exit bans in China.  He also underscored the long-standing U.S. commitment to universal human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Mr. Sullivan underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.  He emphasized concerns about the PRC’s support for Russia’s defense industrial base and its impact on European and transatlantic security.  Mr. Sullivan reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to defending its Indo-Pacific allies and expressed concern about the PRC’s destabilizing actions against lawful Philippine maritime operations in the South China Sea.  The two sides also discussed shared concerns about the DPRK, Burma, and the Middle East.

Mr. Sullivan and Director Wang noted the importance of this strategic channel of communication over the past eighteen months and committed to maintaining high-level diplomacy and working-level consultations on an ongoing basis.