China urges US for pragmatic China policy in talks with Sullivan

Zhang Youxia, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, met with the United States National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in Beijing on Thursday during the US official's three-day visit to China.

Zhang, China's top uniformed military official, noted that the successful San Francisco meeting between the presidents of the two countries last November and their phone call in April this year have charted a course for the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-US relations, according to a news release from the Ministry of National Defense.

He said that both sides should implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state and work towards turning the San Francisco Vision into reality.

Zhang said that maintaining stability in the military security field serves the common interests of both China and the US and is a shared expectation of the international community.

He expressed hope that the US would work with China in the direction of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.

The senior official also urged the US to correct its strategic perception of China, return to a rational and pragmatic China policy, genuinely respect China's core interests, work with China to promote military communication and exchanges, and jointly shoulder the responsibilities of major powers.

Zhang reiterated China's position on the Taiwan question.

He said that the Taiwan question is the core of China's core interests, the foundation of the political basis of China-US relations, and the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US ties.

China remains committed to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, but "Taiwan independence" and the peace and stability in the Strait are mutually exclusive, Zhang stressed.

It is the mission and duty of the People's Liberation Army to firmly oppose "Taiwan independence" and promote reunification, he said, underscoring that any reckless provocations by "Taiwan independence" forces will be definitely countered.

The Chinese side demands that the US side cease military collusion with Taiwan, stop arming Taiwan and halt the dissemination of false narratives concerning Taiwan, according to the news release.

The two sides also exchanged views on other issues, it said.