Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor, met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as part of the latest efforts to stabilize US-China Relations ahead of a potential meeting between Joe Biden (US Vice President) and Xi Jinping (Chinese Premier).
The White House confirmed that Sullivan and Wang had met in Malta over the weekend. The unannounced meetings come four months after Sullivan and Wang held a secretive meeting in Vienna to resurrect high-level diplomacy that had been stalled following a suspected Chinese spies balloon flying over North America, before it was shot down by US.
The White House stated that “this meeting was part and parcel of ongoing efforts to maintain an open line of communication, as well as manage the relationship responsibly.” The two sides discussed global and regional issues of security, Russia’s conflict against Ukraine and cross-[Taiwan] Strait concerns, among others.
Separate statements from the White House and Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that officials had “candid, substantive, and constructive” discussions.
These talks are taking place as the US China and discuss a potential meeting between Biden & Xi if Xi attends the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in San Francisco, November. Last November, the two leaders met for the first time in person at G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia.
A US official refused to comment on the possibility of a summit in this year. She said that the discussions in Malta were “constructive”, and pointed out that Biden said he hoped Xi would meet him in the near future.
Experts are watching closely for signs that Xi has decided not to attend Apec, after he missed the recent G20 Summit in India. Xi attended the Brics summit — Brazil, Russia India, China, and South Africa — in Johannesburg last month, but unexpectedly failed to give a speech at a side event. This sparked speculation about a potential domestic crisis.
The Malta meeting was held during a time of turmoil in the Chinese government. Wang has been appointed China’s top official in foreign affairs, and is also the Foreign Minister, replacing Qin Gang, who was fired from his position without explanation last July.
Li Shangfu, the Chinese defense minister, has also vanished from public view. US officials told reporters this week that Li is being investigated for corruption, and has been removed.
China hasn’t explained what happened to the two officials, who were both Xi appointees. According to the US official, Wang failed to explain what happened and Sullivan didn’t bring up the subject during their two-day meeting.
Xi, also the chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), fired two generals from the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force. This elite command oversees China’s long-range and nuclear missiles.
Both sides agreed to hold discussions on several topics, including maritime issues, political and security developments, arms control, and policy planning, according to the US official. The Chinese statement from the foreign ministry did not mention weapons control, a topic Beijing has previously refused to discuss bilaterally.
According to the US official, China has recently given “limited signals” that it is interested in reopening some military-to-military communication channels it closed after Nancy Pelosi, then US House Speaker visited Taiwan last summer.
China claimed that Wang had said that Taiwan was an issue that could not be crossed. US official stated that Sullivan expressed concern over Chinese military activities, including flights crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait which previously served as a protective buffer.
reported last month , that both sides would establish new communication channels to discuss Asia-Pacific issues and maritime matters following a trip to Washington by Yang Tao.
Wang will travel to Washington, DC next month. This would be the first high-level Chinese visit to Washington since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.