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The visit of US National Security Advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan to China comes at a time of an escalating trade conflict and rising disagreements over global developments read more
 "Focus on Taiwan, military tension as Biden’s NSA Sullivan meets China’s top diplomat Wang today")
Jake Sullivan (L), the National Security Advisor of the United States, is meeting Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi. AP
Amid trade conflict and differences on a host of geopolitical issues, US National Security Advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan has embarked on a three-day visit to China.
Sullivan arrived in Beijing on Tuesday and will hold a series of meetings through Thursday with Chinese officials, which will also include meetings with Foreign Minister Wang Yi. While the two have frequently in recent years, the visit is a first by an American NSA to China in eight years.
Sullivan’s visit comes as the United States and allies are locked in a trade conflict with China. The United States and China are also at odds in conflicts in Iran and Ukraine. The United States is also concerned about the military tensions in the South China where China has become increasingly aggressive lately and frequently clashed with ally Philippines.
US President Joe Biden’s top national security aide Jake Sullivan arrived in Beijing for a three-day visit as the world’s two largest economies seek to manage their rivalry through dialogue.
He was met by Yang Tao of China’s Foreign Ministry and U.S. Amb. Nicholas Burns. pic.twitter.com/xCp52mle4K
What’s the agenda of Sullivan’s visit?
Sullivan is slated to hold talks on Ukraine, Middle East, Taiwan, and fentanyl, according to Reuters.
In Ukraine, while the United States is the principal backer of Ukraine, China is the principal partner of Russia and has provided it with dual-use technology that can be used in manufacturing arms and ammunition. The United States and Western allies have dubbed China as the enabler of the Russian war on Ukraine.
The two leaders will also discuss the issue of Taiwan, the self-ruled island that China claims as its own. In recent years, while the Biden administration has expressed increased support to Taiwan, China has ramped up aggression and has repeated calls of unification — even by force.
The United States also wants China to take more action to prevent the development of chemicals that can be made into fentanyl, a drug that’s a leading cause of overdose deaths amongst Americans. The chemicals made in China made their way to the United States and fuel the fentanyl overdose epidemic.
Additionally, the United States and China also look forward to reaching an understanding about safety standards for artificial intelligence (AI), as per Reuters.
China to raise issue of tariffs
On its part, China will raise the issue of tariffs that the United States and allies have imposed on Chinese goods, particularly electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy products, and metals. Just a day ahead of Sullivan’s visit, Canada announced tariffs on EVs and metals from China.
China has dubbed the tariffs as “unreasonable”.
“China will focus on expressing serious concerns, clarifying its solemn position and making serious demands on the Taiwan issue, the right to development and China’s strategic security. The U.S. has continuously taken unreasonable measures against China in terms of tariffs, export controls, investment reviews and unilateral sanctions, which have seriously undermined China’s legitimate rights and interests,” said the Chinese Foreign Ministry, as per Reuters.
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English (US) ·