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US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a significant three-day visit. Sullivan’s trip marks the first time a US national security advisor has visited China in eight years, highlighting the importance of this diplomatic engagement.

Upon arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport, Sullivan was welcomed by Yang Tao from China’s Foreign Ministry and US Ambassador Nicholas Burns. His visit is expected to foster high-level discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, focusing on a range of crucial issues.

During this visit, Sullivan is set to address several key topics, including the Taiwan question, development rights, and strategic security concerns. According to China’s Foreign Ministry, these discussions will be central to the meetings between Sullivan and Wang. The agenda reflects the growing complexity of the US-China relationship, with both sides keen to address and manage their differences.

State media, including Global Times, reported that Sullivan’s trip comes at the invitation of Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China.

This visit is a notable diplomatic effort, as it reflects the commitment of both nations to engage in meaningful dialogue. The last visit by a US national security advisor to China occurred during President Barack Obama’s administration in 2016, when Susan Rice made the trip.

The White House National Security Communications Advisor, John Kirby, emphasised that Sullivan’s meetings with Wang Yi, scheduled from August 27 to August 29, will be crucial.

This visit will be the fifth face-to-face meeting between Sullivan and Wang, underscoring the ongoing dialogue between the two countries. Kirby highlighted that these discussions play a vital role in managing the competition and tensions between the US and China.

Sullivan’s visit is also a follow-up to the discussions held between President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping at the Woodside Summit in November 2023. During his time in Beijing, Sullivan will focus on advancing cooperation on several fronts, including counternarcotics, military communication, and artificial intelligence safety.

The trip will also address broader security concerns across the Indo-Pacific region, such as tensions in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, as well as economic practices perceived as unfair.