Top Chinese and U.S. Officials Discuss Fresh Talks between Presidents

Top Chinese and U.S. officials discussed holding fresh talks between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping in the near future, the two countries said on Wednesday during high-level meetings in Beijing.

The discussion occurred during lengthy talks between China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, and U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan held against the backdrop of sharp disagreements between the superpowers and the 2024 U.S. election race to replace Biden.

Both sides also agreed to hold video calls between their military theater commanders who hold responsibility for hot spots in the Indo-Pacific region “at an appropriate time,” according to the Chinese readout from the meetings, a move that Washington hopes could prevent conflict in areas like the Taiwan Strait. The White House said the talks would happen in the “near future.”

“The key to the smooth development of China-U.S. interaction lies in treating each other as equals,” Wang told Sullivan, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

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“The two sides held candid, substantive, and constructive discussions on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues,” the White House said.

The statements followed Sullivan’s second day of talks with Wang and other officials, aimed at calming tensions between the two superpowers ahead of the Nov. 5 U.S. election.

Meetings to Cover Range of Areas

Meetings between the two sides will last until Thursday and are expected to cover a range of areas where the two countries are at odds, including trade, the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, and Chinese territorial claims from Taiwan to the South China Sea.

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Wang’s Demands

Wang told Sullivan the U.S. should “stop arming Taiwan and support peaceful ‘reunification’ of China,” adding that “Taiwan belongs to China and that ‘Taiwan independence’ is the biggest risk to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”

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U.S. Concerns

According to the Chinese readout, Wang also expressed Beijing’s disapproval of U.S. tariffs on a range of manufactured goods and export controls targeting Chinese chip makers, saying Washington should “stop jeopardizing China’s legitimate interests.”

But a U.S. statement also stressed some areas of potential agreement, noting “shared concerns about (North Korea), Burma, and the Middle East.”

They also said that Biden climate adviser John Podesta would soon travel to China for talks.

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China’s Position

China, the world’s second-largest economy, whose vessels have repeatedly clashed with Philippine ships in the South China Sea, said the U.S. “must not undermine China’s sovereignty … nor support Philippines’ ‘infringing acts.’”

Manila and Washington have a mutual defense treaty and the U.S. has vowed to aid the Philippines against armed attacks on its vessels and soldiers in the South China Sea.

Conclusion

The recent meetings between top Chinese and U.S. officials have highlighted the ongoing efforts to improve bilateral ties and reduce tensions between the two superpowers. While there are still significant differences between the two countries, the willingness to engage in dialogue and find common ground is a positive step forward.

FAQs

Q: What was the outcome of the recent meetings between top Chinese and U.S. officials?

A: The two sides agreed to hold fresh talks between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping in the near future and to hold video calls between their military theater commanders.

Q: What are the areas of disagreement between China and the U.S.?

A: The two countries are at odds over a range of issues, including trade, the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, and Chinese territorial claims from Taiwan to the South China Sea.

Q: What is China’s position on the South China Sea?

A: China claims sovereignty over the South China Sea and has repeatedly clashed with Philippine ships in the region. The U.S. has vowed to aid the Philippines against armed attacks on its vessels and soldiers in the area.