China is open to discussions if they are helpful in stabilizing ties with the US, say observers ahead of Sullivan's visit.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is set to visit China from August 27 to 29, as announced by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Saturday. The visit will involve a new round of China-US strategic communication.
Maintaining open communication channels at a high level between China and the US is crucial to avoiding misunderstandings in their complex relationship. This visit, the first by Sullivan, provides an opportunity to discuss urgent issues and manage differences.
Sullivan's visit was at the invitation of Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.
The Financial Times described the visit as "part of a broader effort to stabilize the relationship between the two superpowers."
Sullivan's upcoming visit comes only months before the US presidential election.
Tensions remain elevated due to actions taken by the Biden administration in areas such as economic and trade policies, in addition to national security. Lü Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times, "We may now find it very difficult to rely on a national security advisor to ease ties."
However, China will remain open for discussion as long as it is conducive to developing a stable relationship.
Maintaining open communication channels at a high level between China and the US is crucial in preventing misunderstandings, and the visit will provide an opportunity to discuss pressing issues and address differences promptly, accurately, and effectively, according to Li Haidong, a professor from the China Foreign Affairs University.
As two major global powers, Li noted that China and the US maintain that high-level visits are crucial for stabilizing global expectations and handling transnational issues.
Li believed that China will express core concerns to the US during Sullivan's visit. The US is persistently interfering in China's internal affairs, including issues related to Taiwan and human rights. Recently, on the South China Sea issue, the US has been encouraging the Philippines to provoke tensions, reflecting its ulterior motive to create problems for China.
In areas such as drug trafficking, climate change response, and the maintenance of the non-proliferation system, there may be progress, but whether both sides will have very practical measures to stabilize their strategic relationship remains to be seen, Li said.
Wang Yi and Sullivan have met four times over the last year and a half, according to a recent AFP report.
