On the evening of August 29, Yang Tao, Director General of the Department of North American and Oceanic Affairs of the State Department, briefed the media on the visit of White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to China. Yang Tao said that at the invitation of Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, Sullivan visited China from August 27 to 29 to participate in a new round of Sino-US strategic communication. This is the first visit to China by a U.S. presidential national security adviser in eight years, Jake Sullivan's first visit to China during his term in office, and an important step by both sides to implement the two presidents' joint agreements.
President Xi Jinping met with Biden's adviser Sullivan on the afternoon of 29 August. President Xi highlighted the following facts. First, when China and the United States, two major countries, negotiate with each other, the No. 1 issue is to establish a correct strategic perception, and first of all, they must find a good answer to the overarching question: Are China and the United States rivals or partners? China's foreign policy is open and transparent and its strategic intentions are trans-partisan, both of which are very consistent and stable. China focuses on good management of its own affairs and will continue to comprehensively deepen reforms to further improve and develop a system of socialism with Chinese characteristics that suits Chinese national conditions. China is following the path of peaceful development. In pursuing its own development, China is also ready to cooperate with other countries for common development and jointly build a community with a common future for mankind. Secondly, in this changing and turbulent world, countries need solidarity and coordination, not division or confrontation. People want openness and progress, not exclusion or retreat. China and the United States, as two major countries, should be responsible for history, for people and for the world, and should be a source of stability for world peace and a force for common development. Thirdly, China's commitment to the goal of stable, healthy and sustainable China-U.S. relations remains unchanged, its principle in handling relations based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation remains unchanged, its stance of firmly safeguarding the country's sovereignty, security and development interests remains unchanged, and its efforts to continue the traditional friendship between the Chinese and American people remains unchanged. President Xi expressed his hope that the United States will work with China in the same direction, view China and its development in a positive and rational light, see mutual development as an opportunity, not a challenge, and work with China to find the right path so that China and the United States, two countries with different civilizations, systems, and ways, can coexist peacefully and achieve common development on this planet. These remarks provide strategic and overarching guidance that is fundamental to the direction of Sino-U.S. relations, and are China's most significant statement on Sino-U.S. relations.
On August 27 and 28, Director Wang Yi led strategic communications with Sullivan in six sessions that totaled more than 11 hours. The two sides discussed Sino-U.S. relations, sensitive issues, and major international and regional hot spots. Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, also met with Sullivan.
Yang Tao stated that this is the fourth round of strategic communication between Director Wang and Sullivan. The first three rounds were held in Vienna, Malta, and Bangkok, and a meeting was also held in Washington, D.C., with positive results. This time their communication took place at Yanqi Lake and became increasingly deeper as they moved closer to Beijing. Both sides believe that this round of communication is sincere, substantive and constructive.
Yang Tao stressed that the head of state's diplomacy always provides strategic guidance for Sino-US relations. This view is shared by both sides. In the past four years, both presidents have set the direction and provided an anchor for bilateral relations. From the Bali Accords to the San Francisco Vision, heads of state diplomacy has provided ballast as the relationship has sailed through the wind and rain, and will continue to be a source of driving force to move the relationship forward. The strategic channel of communication between the Director of the Office of the Central Commission on Foreign Affairs and the US National Security Adviser has been established in accordance with the joint agreement of the two Presidents. Its primary role is to support the Head of State's diplomacy and to build on important joint understandings reached by the two Presidents. As part of this round of strategic communication, the two sides discussed that a new round of interaction between the two Presidents would take place in the near future. This will help to further leverage the strategic diplomacy of heads of state and provide stability and certainty in China-US relations and in a changing and turbulent world.
Both sides reviewed how China and the United States have engaged each other over the years. Director Wang Yi summarized the experiences and lessons learned into "five keys": first, the key to maintaining the right direction of Sino-U.S. relations is leadership and management by the two presidents; second, the key to avoiding conflicts and confrontations between China and the United States is adherence to the three joint communiqués; third, the key to smooth interaction between China and the United States is to treat each other as equals; fourth, the key to a stable and lasting Sino-U.S. relationship is mutual cooperation. Fifth, the key to peaceful coexistence between China and the United States is the development of correct perceptions. These "five keys" will help the two sides chart a better future and find the right way for the two great countries to get along.
Yang Tao said that in November last year, at their summit in San Francisco, the two presidents reached a forward-looking vision that sets the direction and blueprint for China-US relations. During this round of strategic communication, the two sides reviewed the progress made in implementing the important joint understandings of the San Francisco meeting and agreed to continue to implement them. The two sides also agreed on a number of specific issues, including maintaining high-level exchanges and communication at various levels; continuing cooperation in areas such as counter-narcotics, law enforcement, repatriation of illegal immigrants and addressing climate change; holding a theater commander-level video call between the two militaries and the second round of the Intergovernmental Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence, as well as other institutionalized efforts; and maintaining communications on international and regional hot spots, including the Middle East, Ukraine, and the Korean Peninsula. These new outcomes will help both sides remove distractions, overcome obstacles, and move closer to the San Francisco vision, and jointly promote a healthy, stable, and sustainable China-U.S. relationship.
Taiwan, democracy and human rights, the road and the system, and the right to development are the four red lines China has drawn in China-US relations. On these issues, the Chinese side has expressed serious concerns, formulated its position and put forward serious demands. The Chinese side has stressed that the Taiwan issue is the first and most important red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations; China's political system and development path must not be called into question, and the Chinese people must not be deprived of their right to development. Touching these red lines would take the ground out of Sino-US relations and make the barriers redundant. 'Taiwan independence' is the greatest risk to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Since the U.S. side has said many times that the United States is committed to the one-China policy, does not support "Taiwan independence" and does not support "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan", it should follow through on its commitments with real actions, adhere to the one-China principle and the three Sino-U.S. joint communiqués, stop arming Taiwan and promote China's peaceful reunification.
Both sides believe that under the strategic leadership of both Presidents, the channel of strategic communication between the Director of the Office of the Central Committee on Foreign Affairs and the National Security Advisor to the President of the United States is very important, and they agreed to continue to use the role of this channel.
Yang Tao also answered questions from the media
Asked about economic, trade and technological issues, Yang Tao said the so-called "small backyard with high fences" of the United States is constantly expanding and becoming unlimited. So-called "national security" has become a basket into which anything can be put. The narrative of so-called 'overcapacity' is just another excuse for protectionism. Behind them, there is still a misperception of China by the US and its hegemonic mentality of seeking absolute security and absolute advantage. The United States should know that it is not possible for China to permanently remain at the middle and lower end of the industrial chain. China has the ability, the need and the right to rise towards the middle and higher end. The United States should also know that the economic and trade relationship between China and the US is by its nature mutually beneficial and that stifling China's economic and technological progress is harmful to itself and others and will not be successful.
Regarding the South China Sea issue, Yang Tao stressed that China is firmly committed to defending its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and is committed to upholding the seriousness and effectiveness of the Doctor's Document. Developing alliances and partnerships is a matter for the United States alone, but it should not be used to harm China's interests. The Philippines should keep its word, and the United States should also do things that contribute to regional peace and stability.
Regarding Ukraine, Yang Tao stressed that China's position is non-partisan and transparent. It is to support peace negotiations and a political settlement. We do not seek to make gains from the conflict, much less fan its flames. We will continue to take the right steps. China pursues an independent peaceful foreign policy and does not seek alliances or bloc confrontation. This is our basic principle in dealing with all countries. The United States should stop spreading the false narrative that 'China supports Russia's defence industrial base' and stop the smearing, scapegoating or blaming China. Still less should they apply illegal unilateral sanctions.
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