China is "restless" but suddenly "relaxed" in its relationship with the US, why?

For months, China has been playing along with the scenario of former President Donald Trump returning to the White House, which would make Sino-US relations highly unpredictable. However, the election of Vice President Kamala Harris has made Beijing more optimistic about improving the already fragile relationship between the two superpowers.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right) and US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan before their talks in Beijing on August 27. (Source: Reuters)

Shaping the relationship in the right direction

Vice President Kamala Harris's candidacy for US President has changed Beijing's calculations in the context of US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's visit to China (August 27-29).

Chinese leader Xi Jinping is using his meeting with Sullivan to promote stability in relations between the two global superpowers, seeking to shape relations in a way that suits Beijing’s expectations as the US presidential election approaches. This week, Sullivan met with several senior officials in Beijing.

The Chinese side has stressed the importance of implementing the agreements reached by the two countries' top leaders at a summit in California in November 2023 – where President Joe Biden pledged that the US would avoid a "Cold War" with China and seek new areas of cooperation.

According to Chinese media, in his conversation with Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Xi Jinping said that the US and China need to be sources of stability for world peace, and he hopes that the US will view China's development in a positive light.

Receiving US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized: "In this volatile and changing world, countries need solidarity and cooperation, not exclusion or retreat."

The White House said Xi Jinping and Joe Biden are expected to have a phone call in the coming weeks.

At a press conference in Beijing on August 29, Mr. Sullivan said the two countries' leaders could meet in person by the end of the year.

The US national security adviser's itinerary for his visit to China includes a rare meeting with a senior Chinese military official – a sign that Beijing is willing to maintain ties.

For months, Chinese leaders have been playing along with the scenario that former President Donald Trump would return to the White House and create an unpredictable relationship.

But the emergence of Vice President Kamala Harris as a serious contender in the presidential race has given Beijing new impetus to shore up its fragile partnership with Washington over the past year.

Binding Heritage

Speaking to reporters during meetings with Chinese officials, Mr. Sullivan shared his own experience working with Ms. Harris over the past four years, saying that she represents the Biden administration's next step in ensuring that US-China competition does not turn into conflict.

According to Daniel Russel, former US Assistant Secretary of State and currently Director of the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI), with only 6 months left until Mr. Biden leaves the White House, Beijing expects Ms. Harris - if elected - to be clearly aware of the responsibility to implement the agreements reached under the two leaders Joe Biden-Xi Jinping. China believes that is a legacy and will bind Ms. Harris.

During Mr. Biden's time in the White House, US-China diplomatic relations have been characterized by slow movement and few breakthroughs.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan: "President Biden is committed to responsibly managing this important relationship to ensure that competition does not turn into conflict or confrontation, and to cooperate when we have mutual interests."

US officials, including Mr. Sullivan, are trying to find a way to keep the world's two leading economies from falling into conflict, while building a front against China's intention to rise and increase its global influence.

On August 29, Mr. Sullivan met with Senior Lieutenant General Truong Huu Hiep. Mr. Sullivan is the first US national security advisor to meet with the Vice Chairman of the Chinese Military Commission since 2016.

Speaking to the press, Mr. Sullivan said that through this meeting, he wanted to clarify the US's intentions and concerns regarding a series of sensitive military issues, and at the same time listen to China's views.

Many experts on US-China relations believe that because she has little diplomatic experience, Ms. Harris will copy most of Mr. Biden's policies, at least in the early stages of her tenure if she wins.

As a result, it is difficult to gauge exactly how Harris would behave in the face of a potential crisis.

Beijing will have to grope for signals based on Harris's selection of personnel for the senior team of officials in charge of China policy.

“China is really in a waiting game,” said Yun Sun, director of the China program at the Washington-based Stimson Center. “It is clear from Sullivan’s visit that China has taken this opportunity to reaffirm Beijing’s position on bilateral relations, hoping to set a precedent and principles for the next administration in the United States.”

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/trung-quoc-dang-dung-ngo-khong-yen-bong-nhe-long-trong-quan-he-voi-my-vi-sao-284449.html