"Secretive Talks in Malta: U.S. and China Seek to Ease Tensions"

The White House national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, met with China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, in Malta to discuss relations between the two nations, Russia's war in Ukraine, tensions over Taiwan, and other matters related to the Asia-Pacific region. Sullivan reiterated American concerns about recent Chinese military actions around Taiwan and urged China not to aid Russia in its war on Ukraine. Both sides agreed to pursue additional high-level engagement and consultations in key areas, but recent political purges in China have cast doubt on the possibility of a meeting between President Biden and Xi Jinping in November.