From August 27 to 28, 2024, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi held a new round of strategic communication with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Beijing. The two sides had candid, substantive and constructive discussions.

Wang Yi said, China-U.S. relations have gone through ups and downs. Reviewing the experiences and lessons from these fluctuations can help forge a better future and find the right way for the two major countries to get along with each other.

First, to keep China-U.S. relations on the right track, the key is to rely on the guidance of the two heads of state. The two sides should uphold the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation and implement the common understandings reached between the two heads of state to promote the stable, sound and sustainable development of bilateral relations.

Second, to avoid conflict and confrontation between China and the United States, the key is to adhere to the three China-U.S. joint communiques. The political foundation for the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries must be maintained. China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, its political system and development path, and the legitimate right to development of the Chinese people must be respected.

Third, to ensure smooth China-U.S. interactions, the key is to treat each other as equals. Acting from a position of strength is not the right way of interaction between countries.

Fourth, the key to pursuing the steady, sustained development of China-U.S. relations is cementing public support. The two countries should build more bridges and pave more roads for people-to-people exchange, rather than raising obstacles.

Fifth, to achieve peaceful coexistence between China and the United States, the key is to establish correct perception. China is committed to ensuring better lives for its people at home, and to making greater contributions to world peace and development. The United States should not speculate about China based on its own historical path, nor should it assume that China will follow the path taken by past world powers that sought hegemony.

Wang Yi briefed Jake Sullivan on the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and stressed that the meeting marks a new milestone in China's reform and opening-up, providing a new window for the outside world to understand China and new opportunities for the common development of all countries.

Wang Yi stressed that Taiwan belongs to China and that China will be reunited. "Taiwan independence" poses the biggest risk to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The United States should act on its commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence", adhere to the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, stop arming Taiwan, and support the peaceful reunification of China.

Wang Yi pointed out that national security should be common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable, and one country's security should not be built upon the insecurity of others. National security requires clear boundaries, particularly in the economic domain, where they must be scientifically defined. Wang Yi urged the United States to end its suppression of China in the economic, trade and sci-tech fields, and refrain from undermining China's legitimate interests. Using "overcapacity" as an excuse to pursue protectionism will only harm global green development and impede world economic growth.

Wang Yi stressed that China is firm in upholding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests over the Nanhai Zhudao (South China Sea islands), as well as the seriousness and efficacy of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. The United States must not undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity under the pretext of bilateral treaties, nor should it support or condone the Philippines' acts of infringement.

Jake Sullivan said that there are differences and competition between the United States and China, but also many areas where cooperation is needed. He noted that the United States agrees that the two countries should treat each other as equals and that competition should be healthy and fair, and said the U.S. side has no intention of decoupling from China. The United States adheres to the one-China policy and does not support "Taiwan independence", "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan". The United States and China will coexist peacefully on this planet for a long time, and the goal of U.S. policy is to find a way to make the U.S.-China relationship sustainable. The U.S. side is willing to continue maintaining strategic communication with China to enhance mutual understanding and reduce misunderstanding and miscalculation.

The two sides also had an exchange of views on issues concerning Ukraine, the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula. Reiterating that China is always committed to promoting peace talks and pushing for a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, Wang Yi said that China will continue to do the right thing. The United States should not shift responsibility to China, even less impose illegal, unilateral sanctions.

The two sides discussed a new round of interactions between the two heads of state in the near future. The two sides agreed to continue implementing the important common understandings reached between the two heads of state at their San Francisco summit meeting, and maintain high-level exchange and communication at all levels. They also agreed to continue carrying out cooperation on drug control, law enforcement, the repatriation of illegal immigrants and climate change response. The two sides agreed on institutional arrangements such as a video call between theater leaders of the two militaries, and the second round of China-U.S. governmental talks on AI at an appropriate time.