US NSA warns of potential conflict in China-US relationship if not managed well

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has cautioned that the relationship between the United States and China has the potential to turn towards conflict if not handled well This warning comes ahead of the anticipated summit between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi JinpingSullivan emphasized the importance of effectively managing the complex and competitive nature of the relationshipThe summit is expected to cover topics such as Taiwan Chinas actions in the IndoPacific the IsraelHamas conflict the war in Ukraine human rights and trade disputesSullivan highlighted the need for open communication and responsible management of competition through intense diplomacy The goal is not only to manage issues but also to achieve tangible results for both nationsSullivan said the most important thing is that this is a complex and a competitive relationship that could easily veer into conflict or confrontation if its not well managedSo managing the relationship effectively is the single most important responsibility of the president and everyone who works for him on this file Sullivan told reporters at a news conference hereTaiwan is likely to be at the top of the list of topics China will be keen to discuss with Biden Beijing claims sovereignty over the selfruled island which is set to hold elections early next year China has held provocative military exercises around Taiwan in recent months to warn the island against taking any steps to declare independenceAlso read India UK to soon hold next round of free trade agreement talksThe IsraelHamas war the war in Ukraine human rights and trade disputes are expected to be discussed during the BidenXi meetingBilateral relations plunged to a new low last August when Beijing cut off major communication channels with Washington in retaliation for a highlevel US visit to Taiwan Attempts to restore dialogue were derailed this February when a US fighter jet shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon over American airspaceSince then the US has spent months seeking to engage China its biggest strategic rival including dispatching four cabinetlevel officials to Beijing in recent monthsThose are some of the issues that through intense diplomacy we have been able to manage Sullivan saidThen we will look for opportunities to actually generate affirmative outcomes that deliver tangible progress for the American people in areas where our interests overlap I mentioned for example the issue of fentanylWere hoping to see some progress on that issue this coming week and that could then open the door to further cooperation on other issues where we arent just managing things but were actually delivering tangible results Sullivan saidBeyond that the US and China have to be able to speak directly to one another on all of the critical issues that face our two countries including issues in moments of crisis like the RussiaUkraine crisisPresident Biden has had a number of candid conversations with President Xi about the question of military support to the Russian Federation in the conduct of its war in Ukraine he said in response to a questionDuring the San Francisco meeting Sullivan said that he anticipates the leaders will discuss some of the most fundamental elements of the USChina bilateral relationship including the continued importance of strengthening open lines of communication and managing competition responsiblyThe way we achieve that is through intense diplomacy Thats how we clear up misperceptions and avoid surprises Thats how we work together where and when our interests overlap and deliver on key priorities for the American people he saidSullivan said in recent months he met the Chinese Foreign Minister and Director of the ruling Communist Party of China Central Foreign Affairs Commission Wang Yi thrice and top US secretaries of State Treasury and Commerce all went to BeijingChina for its part sent its vice president foreign minister and other senior officials to the United States in recent months President Biden comes into this summit on a solid footing given the ways in which he has positioned the United States to be able to compete effectively both at home and around the world Sullivan saidResponding to questions he talked about having lines of communication open to manage competition responsiblyThats what the US president has set out to achieve in this summit with President Xi He sees this not just as a oneoff meeting but as an important moment to be able to establish the kind of basis upon which we can proceed out into the future Sullivan addedIn Beijing Mao Ning a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said the two presidents will have indepth communication on issues of strategic overarching and fundamental importance in shaping ChinaUS relations and major issues concerning world peace and developmentChina does not fear competition but we do not agree that ChinaUS relations should be defined by competition Mao saidThe US needs to respect Chinas concerns and legitimate right to development rather than emphasising its own concerns at the expense of Chinas interests she said on MondayThe Taiwan question is Chinas internal affair and resolving it is a matter for the Chinese that brook no foreign interference Mao emphasisedShe also noted that China has made clear on multiple occasions the nature of the South China Sea issue China will neither take any inch of territory that is not ours nor give up any inch of territory that belongs to us Mao added PTI