This week witnessed significant developments on the international stage. On one hand, Xi Jinping engaged in talks with Jake Sullivan, the US national security adviser, while concurrently, Vladimir Putin is making arrangements for an upcoming trip to Mongolia. Furthermore, the foreign ministers of the European Union (EU) have expressed their refusal to acknowledge the ‘democratic legitimacy’ of Nicolás Maduro, the Venezuelan President, due to the contentious results of the recent elections in the country.
This week, an unexpected dialogue unfolded between Xi Jinping and Jake Sullivan, the US national security adviser, during Sullivan’s three-day visit to Beijing. The meeting took place on Thursday afternoon, following a series of discussions that Sullivan had with senior officials of the Communist Party. This visit represented Sullivan’s first trip to Beijing in his role as national security adviser and coincided with ongoing initiatives aimed at reducing tensions in what US officials describe as a highly competitive bilateral relationship.
According to Chinese state media, Xi conveyed to Sullivan at the Great Hall of the People his hope that the US would adopt a positive perspective on China’s development and work collaboratively with China to create a constructive framework for relations between the two nations. He underscored the importance of both countries taking responsibility for their shared history, their peoples, and the global community, positioning themselves as a stabilizing force for world peace and a driver of mutual development.
Sullivan communicated to Xi that President Joe Biden is committed to overseeing the bilateral relationship in a manner that mitigates the risk of conflict, with expectations for increased dialogue in the forthcoming weeks. Earlier it was revealed that both sides had consented to facilitate a conversation between Xi and Biden, although there are no current arrangements for a face-to-face meeting between the two leaders before the US elections in November. As noted by various analysts, Biden appears intent on concluding the most significant bilateral relationship on a favourable note as he prepares to leave office, thereby bolstering his legacy. In contrast, China is likely motivated to extend a gesture of goodwill towards the outgoing Biden administration, which could set a more accommodating precedent that might restrict the options available to the subsequent US administration. A summary from the White House indicated that Sullivan and Xi also discussed matters concerning Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, the situation in the South China Sea, and the further execution of existing agreements.
The atmosphere surrounding the Xi meeting was notably conciliatory, following several days of discussions that included Sullivan and various officials. While these dialogues were described as both substantive and productive, they were also characterized by vigorous exchanges concerning several ongoing issues. Sullivan also met with General Zhang Youxia, the vice-chair of China’s Central Military Commission, marking a significant interaction as Zhang is the highest-ranking military official to engage with the Biden administration. Sullivan emphasized the importance of this meeting, highlighting the shared responsibility of both nations to prevent competition from escalating into conflict. The discussions led to a promising agreement to commence bilateral military dialogues at the theatre command level between both the countries. However, Zhang also accused the US of collusion with Taiwan, asserting that the military’s role included advocating for the reunification of Taiwan with the mainland. Furthermore, Wang, the foreign minister, communicated to Sullivan that Taiwan’s independence posed the greatest threat to regional stability, urging the US to halt its military support for the island and to endorse China’s peaceful unification initiatives. In response, Sullivan cautioned against the ongoing military and economic pressure on Taiwan and expressed concerns regarding China’s support for Russia’s defense capabilities, as well as its destabilizing actions in the South China Sea, particularly concerning disputes with the Philippines.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to travel to Mongolia, a country that is part of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has issued an arrest warrant against him. Last year, the ICC formally charged Putin with war crimes, particularly concerning the illegal deportation of children from Ukraine. ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan has stated that Putin would face arrest if he were to enter any of the court’s more than 120 member nations.
Furthermore, the ICC has highlighted that Putin did not exercise sufficient control over both civilian and military personnel who committed or allowed these actions while under his effective authority. Although the arrest warrant requires member states to detain Putin upon his arrival, the ICC itself does not possess a dedicated law enforcement agency or the necessary mechanisms to enforce these arrests.
The foreign ministers of the EU have announced their refusal to acknowledge the ‘democratic legitimacy’ of Nicolás Maduro, the President of Venezuela, following the contentious election results in the country. This declaration was made by Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, during a meeting held in Brussels this week. The decision arises from the Venezuelan national electoral authority’s inability to furnish credible evidence that substantiates Maduro’s assertions of victory in the election conducted on 28th July.
Although the electoral council has declared Maduro the victor, comprehensive voting figures have yet to be disclosed. In contrast, the opposition has released data indicating a significant victory for their candidate, Edmundo González. The EU’s decision to reject his legitimacy further emphasizes the persistent political turmoil in Venezuela.
Though achieving the stability and lasting peace in global politics seems to be a far-fetched dream, the leaders need to keep working for the same. Even a little progress and achievement in this regard makes the world a better place to live!
The author is Professor, School of International Studies, JNU