A top Chinese general on Thursday told White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan that the U.S. must stop its “collusion” with Taiwan, during a high-stakes meeting in Beijing.
Gen. Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, told Sullivan that Taiwan “is at the very core of China’s core interests, the bedrock of the political foundation of China-US relations, and the first red line that must not be crossed,” according to a readout from the Chinese Ministry of National Defense.
“The PLA will definitely take countermeasures against the provocations of the Taiwan independence forces,” the readout said Zhang had told Sullivan, using an acronym for China’s military, the People’s Liberation Army. “China urges the US side to stop military collusion with Taiwan, stop arming Taiwan, and stop spreading false narratives on Taiwan.”
A White House readout said Sullivan told Zhang that “both countries have a responsibility to prevent competition from veering into conflict or confrontation.”
“Mr. Sullivan also raised the importance of cross-Strait peace and stability,” the readout said, referring to the Taiwan Strait.
Sullivan also raised concerns about Chinese support for Russia in the war in Ukraine and the U.S. commitment to defending free navigation in the South China Sea, a major point of contention as China continues to clash with the American-backed Philippines over disputed reefs.
Both Sullivan and Zhang agreed on maintaining military-to-military communications, a line that was restored last year after President Biden met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in San Francisco Zhang agreed to a theater commander telephone call in the near future, according to the White House.
Sullivan, who was to depart Beijing on Thursday, also met with Xi and China’s foreign minister in the high-level trip.
The U.S. has unofficial relations with Taiwan, which China claims as its own, but commits to supporting and arming the self-governing island nation.
Intimidating Chinese drills and military exercises around Taiwan have increased in recent years, and accelerated after the inauguration earlier this year of pro-U.S. Taiwanese President William Lai Ching-te.
Xi told Biden in the San Francisco summit that he would reunify with Taiwan, by force if necessary.