U.S. National Security Adviser to Meet Top Chinese Diplomat on Key Issues

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan will have critical discussions with top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi in Beijing. Topics will include Taiwan, U.S.-China military talks, the fentanyl crisis, and China's support for Russia's defense industry. This meeting aims to stabilize U.S.-China relations before the upcoming presidential election.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan is headed to China next week to meet with top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi. This important meeting, scheduled from Aug. 27-29 in Beijing, will cover a range of crucial issues such as Taiwan, U.S.-China military talks, the fentanyl crisis, and China's support for Russia's defense industry, according to a senior U.S. administration official.

Sullivan's visit occurs just ahead of the Nov. 5 U.S. presidential election, where foreign policy, especially U.S.-China competition, will be a key issue. Despite the timing, the official emphasized that the meeting's primary focus would be on stabilizing the bilateral relationship rather than the election.

Earlier reports from Axios suggest that Sullivan and Yi are laying the groundwork for a potential meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year. The White House has not confirmed these plans. Sullivan's recent meetings with Wang have aimed to manage the competitive dynamic between the two superpowers responsibly, touching on issues like military communication, counter-narcotics cooperation, and the risks posed by artificial intelligence.

(With inputs from agencies.)