Mal-teasing future dialogue
The US and China are talking, with a hint of more to come.
On Saturday and Sunday, top diplomat Wang Yi met with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Malta.
The pair discussed (MoFA):
- Global and regional security issues
- The war in Ukraine
- Taiwan
- Maintaining and expanding high-level exchanges
Check this: A senior Biden administration official said there were “limited indications” that the two sides would resume military-to-military dialogue (Reuters).
ICYDK: China canceled military dialogues after former US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August 2022.
- Efforts to restore these dialogues have faltered as China insisted Washington remove sanctions on Defense Minister Li Shangfu as a prerequisite to talks.
How convenient: The Wang-Sullivan meeting happened one day after Li was revealed to be under investigation for corruption, potentially removing the main barrier to resumed dialogue.
Get smart: The Wang-Sullivan talks indicate that China is interested in building on the momentum of recent visits by high-level American officials.
Get smarter: Resuming military dialogue would go a long way in reducing tensions and reestablishing basic guardrails in the bilateral relationship.
Get real: Even a significant increase in US-China dialogue won’t resolve the fundamental mistrust between Beijing and Washington.