China says Taiwan Discussed in Meeting with US National Security Advisor

The Chinese Ministry of Defense said a top Chinese military officer told White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan that the U.S. must stop “collusion” with Taiwan, the self-governing island that China says must come under its rule, during a rare meeting on Thursday.

Defense Ministry spokesperson Col. Wu Qian on Thursday told reporters at a monthly briefing that Gen. Zhang Youxia, one of two vice chairs of the Central Military Commission, told White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan that promoting what China calls the reunification of Taiwan with the mainland is “the mission and responsibility” of the military.

“The Taiwan question is at the core of China’s core interests, and the bedrock of China-US relations, and it’s the very first red line that must never be crossed in China-US relations,” Wu said.

Wu also blamed the Philippines for a series of tense confrontations in the high seas off Sabina Shoal, which has become a new flashpoint, where both Beijing and Manila have deployed coast guard ships on suspicion that either one may take steps to seize the uninhabited atoll.

“China has indisputable sovereignty over the Spratly Islands and the adjacent waters, including the Sabina Shoal,” Wu said.

Wu also criticized the U.S. for “stirring up trouble,” days after the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said the U.S. military is open to consultations about escorting Philippine ships in the disputed South China Sea.

Adm. Samuel Paparo’s remarks provided a glimpse of the mindset of one of the highest American military commanders outside the U.S. mainland on a prospective operation that would risk putting U.S. Navy ships in direct collisions with those of China.

“The US support and endorsement has emboldened the Philippines side in making reckless provocations time and time again,” Wu said. “Intimidating China with the mutual defense treaty will never work.”

On reports that a Chinese military aircraft had briefly entered Japanese airspace earlier this week, Wu said that Beijing was maintaining ongoing communications with Tokyo on the issue.

“China always respects the sovereignty of all countries, and we hope there is no overinterpretation of this incident,” Wu said.

Japan’s top government spokesperson called the incident an “absolutely unacceptable” territorial violation and safety threat, and that it was the first time the Japanese Self Defense Force detected a Chinese military aircraft in Japan’s airspace.