Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer met today with People’s Republic of China Executive Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ma Zhaoxu in Washington, D.C.  The two sides had a candid and constructive conversation, building on the Summit between President Biden and President Xi in Woodside, California in November 2023, and continuing efforts to maintain open lines of communication and responsibly manage competition.  The two sides discussed ongoing work to continue military-to-military communication and advance cooperation on areas in which our interests are aligned, such as counternarcotics.  They also discussed areas of difference. Mr. Finer affirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. He underscored U.S. support for international law and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.  The two sides also discussed Russia’s war against Ukraine, challenges in the Middle East, and efforts to advance the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Mr. Finer and Executive Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ma reaffirmed their support for continued high-level diplomacy and interactions between the United States and the People’s Republic of China. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stopped by the meeting to greet the Executive Vice Minister and exchange views on key issues.

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