US national security adviser to meet Wang Yi in China in first for Biden administration

Sullivan will also raise US concerns about China’s support for Russia’s defence industrial base and the South China Sea, she added, noting he would also exchange views on global issues including North Korea, Middle East, Myanmar and cross-strait issues, referring to Taiwan.

While stressing the importance of communication, the official said American diplomacy and channels of communication “do not indicate a change in approach to the PRC”.

“This is an intensely competitive relationship,” she added. “We are committed to making the investment strengthening our alliances, and taking the common-sense steps on tech and national security that we need to take.”

“We are committed to managing this competition responsibly, however, and prevent it from veering into conflict.”

The coming visit underscores the complex nature of the bilateral relationship, balancing diplomatic engagement with competitive tensions.

While Washington seeks to advance high-level dialogue, its tech race with China has intensified. More than 120 Chinese companies have been added to US government blacklists since Biden took office in 2021.

The pattern continued on Friday with the addition of 123 entities to the US export control list, including 42 Chinese firms, amid persistent domestic concerns over technology and national security.

When asked about the possibility of Sullivan and Wang discussing America’s presidential election in November, the US official said the event would not be a focal point of the visit.

“That will be up to the next administration to determine China policy and how they intend to use some of these channels of communication,” she said.

“What we can speak to is how we intend to manage the balance of this administration and how we intend to manage the transition.”

Additional reporting by Khushboo Razdan