Zurich (AFP) – Top diplomatic advisers to US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Zurich on Wednesday to discuss and try to resolve differences on all kinds of issues, from trade to Taiwan.
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Senior Chinese Foreign Policy Adviser Yang Jiechi set morning and evening talks at a luxury hotel next to the airport in Switzerland’s largest city.
Their meeting comes amid strong tensions between the two governments, including a record number of Chinese military flights near the autonomous island of Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory.
The talks are a follow-up to Biden’s call with Xi last month, as Washington continues to “seek to responsibly manage competition” between the two countries, White House National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne said in a statement Tuesday.
This week, the White House expressed concern that Beijing was undermining regional peace and stability with its “provocative” action. In recent days, China has sent dozens of combat aircraft to Taiwan, including 56 on Monday.
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