Jake Sullivan meets Chinese Communist official, discusses 'maintaining open lines of communication'

Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Monday met with Chinese Communist Party Politburo Member and Foreign Affairs Director Yang Jiechi in Europe.

The two leaders had a "candid, substantive, and productive discussion," the White House said in a press release.

"Mr. Sullivan underscored the importance of maintaining open lines of communication to manage competition between our two countries," the administration said. 

A senior White House official told The Hill that the meeting lasted more than four hours. Sullivan reportedly stressed Biden's commitment to the "one China" policy, which means that the United States will acknowledge, without endorsing the Chinese Communist Party's position, that Taiwan is a part of China.

Sullivan also raised concerns about China's "coercive and aggressive actions" near Taiwan, and he warned the country not to assist Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. 

"Jake made very clear that this is an area where we believe the United States and China should be able to work together," the official told the outlet.