Sullivan in China: Easing Tensions and Discussing Key Issues

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is visiting Beijing to discuss thorny issues with China, including Taiwan, the South China Sea, the fentanyl drug crisis, and China's alleged supply of weapons to Russia. The visit aims to ease tensions and pave the way for a potential summit between the two presidents.

Discussions are expected to cover a range of bilateral issues, such as a potential Biden-Xi summit, amid intensifying US-China rivalry and an unpredictable US election season. The talks also aim to address counternarcotics, better communication, and improved artificial intelligence security.

Sullivan's visit is the first by a US national security advisor to Beijing since 2016. The agenda includes US concerns about security in the Indo-Pacific region, China's support for Russia, and tensions in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.

China has condemned US sanctions over the Ukraine war as 'illegal and unilateral' and is promoting peace talks and opposing nuclear/biological attacks. The visit is seen as an opportunity to manage the strained US-China relationship during Biden's term.