US national security adviser will meet Chinese foreign minister as the rivals seek better ties
Associated PressBANGKOK — Senior U.S. and Chinese representatives are expected to meet in the Thai capital as the two countries seek to cool tensions. Officials from both sides said U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi would meet in Bangkok. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said their planned meeting “continues the commitment by both sides at the November 2023 Woodside Summit between President Biden and President Xi to maintain strategic communication and responsibly manage the relationship.” That summit meeting was seen as an effort to patch up frayed relations due to quarrels over a range of economic and geopolitical issues. Speaking at a news conference in Beijing, he said the Chinese foreign minister “will make clear China’s position on China-U.S. relations and the Taiwan issue, and exchange views with the U.S. on international and regional issues of mutual concern.” An immediate issue of concern to both countries is tensions in the Red Sea that have upended global trade by forcing many shippers to avoid the Suez Canal. Sullivan, whose visit is scheduled to end Saturday, paid a courtesy call Friday on Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and later held a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, the Thai foreign ministry said.