China says relationship with U.S. at critical time to be 'stabilized' ahead of Sullivan's visit

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will visit China from August 27 to 29 at the invitation of Wang Yi, China's senior diplomat, at a time China called "a critical juncture" to "stabilize" the relationship between the two biggest economies. 

The trip will mark the first visit to China by a National Security Advisor to the U.S. President after eight years.

Beijing called the upcoming visit "an important step" to implement the common understandings the two presidents reached at their San Francisco meeting.

"After San Francisco, the diplomatic, financial, law enforcement and climate teams and the militaries of the two sides have maintained communication, and the exchanges between the two peoples have increased. Meanwhile, the United States has kept containing and suppressing China," read the statement published on China's Foreign Ministry official social media handle.

"Against this backdrop, Director Wang Yi will have an in-depth exchange of views with NSA Sullivan on China-U.S. relations, sensitive issues, and major international and regional hotspots," the statement said. 

"The Taiwan question is the first and foremost red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations," the statement read.

China also doubled down on its resolute stand on the island, calling "Taiwan independence" the biggest risk to peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits. 

In the statement, Beijing urged Washington to abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiqués, and honor its commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence," while hoping that the U.S. could work in the same direction with China and take more measures to facilitate the flow of people between the two countries.

Also in the statement, Beijing reiterated its stance on the Middle East issue, promising its commitment to "promoting peace and justice and supports all parties in safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests, especially the restoration of the legitimate national rights of Palestine."

It stated that the immediate priority is that all parties to the conflict must earnestly implement the relevant Security Council resolutions and create conditions for an early comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, hoping the U.S. will adopt "a responsible position."

When discussing its position on Ukraine, China said it will continue to promote peace talks, work for political settlement and carry out mediation diplomacy, warning the U.S. of "abusing unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction."

Beijing also stressed its firm determination for "peaceful development and win-win cooperation."

"China has all along believed that major-country competition is not the solution to the problems facing the United States or the world," the statement read, adding that it will defend the UN-centered international system and international order.

"China does not follow the old path of Western colonization and plundering, nor the wrong path of seeking hegemony with growing strength. Nor does it seek to export its ideology," it said.

(Cover: Flags of China and the U.S. /CFP)