The Facts
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi have completed a two-day meeting on the island of Malta, in what was described by the White House as an attempt to "responsibly maintain the relationship" between the two nations.
With the talks spanning over 12 hours between Sept. 16-17, the White House said that both sides were committed to maintaining the "strategic channel of communication" between the two countries.
The Spin
Pro-China narrative
After what can be considered an upbeat and positive meeting between Wang and Sullivan, it would seem that both nations are seeking to restore effective communication between the two powers and minimize the potential for conflict. Although the US continues to antagonize Beijing with its actions, China continues to attempt to provide an olive branch and show Washington that the two states can coexist peacefully and respectfully.
Anti-China narrative
While speculation is rife that Xi Jinping has continued to intentionally avoid Biden, US pressure on Beijing for its domestic and international behavior remains strong. China will not be able to reach its goals in the existing global order via continued threat of conflict – Beijing must continue its decades-long path of responsible development and reform, or face turmoil.
