PLA Will 'Reunify' Taiwan: Chinese General Confronted Sullivan Just Before Surprise Xi Meeting

Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Thursday at the end of the latter's three day trip to Beijing, which is a first such trip for a sitting US national security adviser in eight years.

But the most interesting and tense moment came just before that, when Sullivan met one of China's vice chairs of the Central Military Commission, Gen. Zhang Youxia. The top general confronted Sullivan on growing US support for Taiwan's military. Zhang informed Sullivan that reunification of Taiwan with the mainland is "the mission and responsibility" of the Chinese PLA military and that it won't be deterred. Sullivan looked nervous and unsettled throughout the whole encounter, with Zhang confident and beaming.

Sullivan meekly opted for a diplomatic and conciliatory tone in response, saying "it is rare that we have the opportunity to have this kind of exchange" and underscored "the need for us to responsibly manage U.S.-China relations."

A follow-up White House also statement sought to emphasize the two sides had "recognized the progress in sustained, regular military-military communications over the past 10 months."

As for statements in the wake of Sullivan's rare meeting with President Xi, there were the usual expressions of managing competition and avoiding direct conflict:

"We believe that competition with China does not have to lead to conflict or confrontation. The key is responsible management through diplomacy," he told reporters at a news conference shortly before leaving Beijing.

"While great changes have taken place in the two countries and in China-U.S. relations, China’s commitment to the goal of a stable, healthy and sustainable China-U.S. relationship remains unchanged," Xi said.