STORY: U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday (August 29), wrapping up three days of wide-ranging talks aimed at easing tensions between the two world powers ahead of November’s U.S. election.
As the pair sat down in the Great Hall of the People, Xi told Sullivan Beijing was committed to a stable relationship with Washington.
“In this changing and turbulent world, countries need solidarity and coordination instead of division or confrontation. The people want openness and progress, not exclusion or regress,” Xi said.
Sullivan told Xi that U.S. President Biden was committed to managing the relationship to avoid conflict and “looks forward to engaging with you in coming weeks.”
This week’s discussions covered a range of issues complicating ties between the countries. Sullivan’s agenda included tensions over Taiwan, the South China Sea and Russia, and U.S. demands for more Chinese help to stem the flow of the ingredients for fentanyl, the leading cause of drug overdoses in the United States.