Sat Sep 07 11:21:45 UTC 2024: ## China Uses US National Security Advisor Visit to Shape Future Relations
**Beijing, China** – In a high-profile visit, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan recently met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other top officials, raising questions about China’s strategic intentions. While the visit was presented as an effort to manage US-China relations, experts suggest China is using it to influence the upcoming US administration and advance its long-term goals.
Despite recent US sanctions on Chinese firms, Xi granted Sullivan a meeting, a gesture interpreted as a sign of China’s desire to shape the future trajectory of the US-China relationship. Xi’s willingness to engage with Sullivan, even though Biden’s term is nearing its end, indicates China’s eagerness to set the stage for future negotiations.
During the visit, Sullivan reiterated the US’s stance on Taiwan, stating that the US does not support “Taiwan independence,” “two Chinas,” or “one China, one Taiwan” – a policy known as the “Three Nos.” This is a significant step, as the full “Three Nos” formulation was last publicly stated by US President Bill Clinton in 1998.
China also seized the opportunity to reassert its position on Taiwan, emphasizing its “core interests” and its unwavering commitment to reunification. Notably, Sullivan’s meeting with General Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, marked the first such meeting since 2016.
This visit, seen as a follow-up to the Biden-Xi summit last November, reveals China’s strategic approach. While Washington focuses on maintaining stability during the upcoming US election, China is looking beyond the current administration, aiming to secure its interests and influence the next US President.
China’s detailed and explicit public statements about the visit, in contrast to the US’s more concise summaries, underscore its determination to set the agenda for future relations. By reaffirming principles favorable to China, Beijing hopes to create a more favorable environment for its rise and its long-term ambitions.
Experts suggest that China’s strategy is to leverage this visit, particularly if Vice President Kamala Harris becomes President, as she is likely to continue Biden’s foreign policy approach. China aims to ensure the agreements reached during Biden’s presidency are maintained, giving it a head start in shaping US-China relations for years to come.
First Piper 