Jake Sullivan’s Diplomatic Mission to China: Key Discussions Ahead

Sullivan’s Upcoming Diplomatic Mission to China

Jake Sullivan, the National Security Adviser at the White House, is poised to embark on a significant diplomatic journey to China next week. His meeting with Wang Yi, the Chinese Foreign Minister, marks another high-level engagement aimed at alleviating ongoing tensions between the two nations. According to Sean Savett, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, “These meetings are consistent with efforts to maintain this strategic channel of communication to responsibly manage the relationship.”

This visit will be Sullivan’s fifth in-person discussion with Wang but notably, his first trip to Beijing since the onset of the Biden administration. It also represents the inaugural visit by a U.S. National Security Adviser to China since Susan Rice’s trip on behalf of President Barack Obama in 2016.

A senior official from the administration, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomatic matters, indicated that Sullivan and Wang will delve into various topics, including:

• Areas of Potential Cooperation: Efforts to combat the spread of fentanyl will be a priority.
• Ongoing Disputes: The future of Taiwan will be a critical point of discussion.
• Future Leadership Meetings: The possibility of a final summit between President Biden and China’s leader, Xi Jinping, before the conclusion of Biden’s term is likely to arise. Their last conversation occurred this spring following a meeting in California last November.

Last year’s discussions between Sullivan and Wang played a vital role in reviving diplomatic relations, which had been strained following President Biden’s directive to down a Chinese surveillance balloon that traversed the U.S. in early 2023. Despite a series of high-level dialogues that have eased some tensions, the relationship remains characterized by what the Biden administration describes as a competitive stance.

Frustrations persist regarding China’s support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its failure to denounce the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in over 1,200 casualties, including American lives. The administration official revealed on Friday that Sullivan and Wang are expected to address:

• Military Communications: The resumption of military-to-military communications, which were halted for several months after the balloon incident.
• Artificial Intelligence Safety: Exploring collaborative approaches to ensure safety and mitigate the risks associated with artificial intelligence in the future.

This meeting, alongside a potential concluding summit involving President Biden, comes at a crucial time as the U.S. approaches its presidential election. The outcome could lead to a significant shift in policy toward China, particularly if former President Donald J. Trump makes a return to the White House for a second term. The official emphasized that Sullivan will not attempt to represent or preemptively speak for any future administration or its stance on China.