USA – China, Dialog Continues: “Frank and Informative Meeting.”

The U.S. and China had a lengthy meeting to discuss the most pressing issues in international politics, particularly the Red Sea and Taiwan crises. In Bangkok, Thailand, Jake Sullivan, U.S. national security adviser, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met for two days. The meeting may also be followed by a telephone contact, which could take place “in the coming months,” between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping.

According to a memo released by the White House following the January 27 talks between Sullivan and Wang, this type of in-depth face-to-face meeting is “an important way to responsibly manage competition and tension; it allows us to dig deep and have a strategic and thoughtful conversation about the direction of the relationship and the key issues facing both countries.”

Sullivan and Wang summarized progress made, including the resumption of military communications, the development of bilateral cooperation in combating drug trafficking, and in AI security and risk management. “Although the USA and China are in a state of competition, both countries must avoid the situation escalating into conflict or confrontation,” Sullivan emphasized.

The two sides then discussed international politics and the situation in Ukraine, the Middle East and the Red Sea, Taiwan, the South China Sea, and Burma. Sullivan reiterated that “the United States remains committed to a one-China policy guided by the Taiwan Relations Act.” He indicated that “the United States opposes unilateral changes to the status quo on either side, we do not support Taiwan’s independence, and expect that differences between the two sides of the strait should be resolved peacefully.”

Beijing also characterized the meeting as “frank and informative,” although, according to a report in Italian economic newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore, there was also talk of potential risks associated with the possible future election of Donald Trump, who appears ready to launch a real economic war with Beijing. According to rumors published by the Wall Street Journal, he is even considering imposing duties of 60% on Chinese goods.