Robin Emmott

BRUSSELS (Reuters), – U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan claimed that the talks he had with Yang Jiechi, China’s top diplomat, in Switzerlandon Wednesday were averted by the acrimony of a March meeting and that more negotiations are needed in order to prevent conflict between these two countries.

Sullivan stated that the six-hour meeting took place at Zurich’s airport hotel. It was Yang’s first meeting since Alaska. This could have marked a more peaceful phase in the relationship between superpowers.

Following meetings at NATO, the European Union and NATO, Sullivan told reporters that “the talks were productive” and they had provided an opportunity to share their different views and intentions behind closed doors.

According to him, the meeting was meant to help “do our best” to foster a situation in which the intense competition (between China and the United States) can be handled responsibly and doesn’t escalate to conflict or confrontation.

Washington claims that China is threatening a world order built on rules. Beijing claims the United States interferes in its affairs.

The mood may have been lifted by the U.S. prosecution and Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou agreements, which allowed her to be taken into custody in Canada in late 2018.

Biden has agreed to meet with Xi Jinping the Chinese President before the year ends.

The bottom line is intense competition calls for intense diplomacy. Sullivan stated, “We need more of that and less of that.”

Although he was not specific, he stated that Yang had “tough and direct” exchanges over Taiwan Strait.

China claims Taiwan and is exerting military and political pressure on Taiwan in order to make it accept Chinese sovereignty.

Sullivan explained that Taiwan was a country with a strong economy and a vibrant democratic system. He said that he is very focused on building a lasting, deep relationship across many dimensions.

Following Sullivan’s remarks, Taiwan’s foreign minister stated in a statement that Taiwan would continue to contribute to stability and peace in the Taiwan Strait region and in the Indo-Pacific.

The ministry stated that Taiwan would also continue to “enhance its self-defence capability and maintain Taiwan’s democratic and free system.”