This is the first such trip by a high-ranking United States official in China in several months after Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen made similar visits earlier this year.
According to the White House, the trip was intended to be a continuation of President Joe Biden's efforts to maintain open communications with Beijing and manage his deteriorating bilateral relationship with Xi.
In a White House-provided readout, Sullivan and Xi reportedly welcomed "ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communications."
Sullivan's trip also comes as U.S.-Chinese relations are at an all-time low amid a trade war that dates back to 2018, tensions over Chinese incursions into the disputed South China Sea and threats made against the democratically governed Taiwan. (Related: U.S. to DEFEND Philippines against China after multiple ship collisions near Sabina Shoal.)
"We believe that competition with China does not have to lead to conflict or confrontation," Sullivan told reporters at a press conference shortly before leaving Beijing, referencing the economic battles between Beijing and Washington over a variety of economic and industrial policies, such as electric vehicles and solar panel manufacturing. "The key is responsible management through diplomacy."
"While great changes have taken place in the two countries and in China-U.S. relations, China's commitment to the goal of a stable, healthy and sustainable China-U.S. relationship remains unchanged," said Xi.
"President Biden is committed to responsibly managing this consequential relationship to ensure that competition does not veer into conflict or confrontation, and to work together where our interests align," said Sullivan.
Xi and Sullivan reportedly agreed to work toward scheduling a phone call between Xi and Biden, and were open to the two meeting in person at the coming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru or the Group of 20 summit in Brazil.
Sullivan and Xi also reportedly discussed a variety of other prominent issues, including Taiwan, recent clashes between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, and the growing number of American citizens being detained in China.
CCP general demands U.S. sever all ties with Taiwan
One day before Sullivan met with Xi in Beijing, he met with People's Liberation Army Gen. Zhang Youxia, considered to be the most senior military official in China.
In their meeting, Zhang reportedly told Sullivan that Taiwan is an "uncrossable first red line" in any future talks with the United States. Zhang is the vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and the most senior military official in China next only to Xi.
Zhang told Sullivan that Taiwan was at "the heart of China's core interests," and that any positive development in U.S.-Chinese relations would have recognition of Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan as one of its foundations.
He demanded that Washington cease colluding with the democratically elected government in Taipei, sever all "military ties," "stop arming Taiwan" and "stop spreading false narratives about Taiwan."
"Resolutely opposing Taiwan independence and promoting reunification is the mission and duty of the People's Liberation Army," said Zhang. "We must respond to the reckless provocations of the Taiwan independence forces."
Beijing regards Taiwan as a province of China that has broken away and must be reunified, by force if necessary, and has repeatedly warned that the issue of Taiwan is the main "red line" in U.S.-China relations.
While most of the world, including the U.S., does not recognize Taiwan as an independent nation, many do have informal economic and cultural relations with the democratic island nation, and Washington has insisted upon its opposition to any attempt to take Taiwan by force. Treaties with Taiwan also legally oblige the U.S. to arm the island to defend itself against any possible Chinese invasion.
Watch this episode of "TruNews" as host Rick Wiles and co-host Raymond Burkhart discuss the deteriorating relations between China and the United States.
This video is from the TruNews channel on Brighteon.com.
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