Sullivan raised the importance of “stability” in the Taiwan Strait and “freedom of navigation” in the South China Sea, where Beijing and Manila have clashed in recent months.
He expressed “concerns about (Chinese) support for Russia’s defence industrial base” – echoing longstanding US claims that Beijing has rejected, the readout added.
He also raised “the need to avoid miscalculation and escalation in cyber space, and ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza”, the White House said.
“DESTABILISING ACTIONS”
On Wednesday, Sullivan and Wang discussed plans for their leaders to talk in the coming weeks – and clashed over China’s increasingly assertive approach in disputed maritime regions.
Sullivan “reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to defending its Indo-Pacific allies”, the White House said.
He also “expressed concern about (China’s) destabilising actions against lawful Philippine maritime operations” in the disputed South China Sea, it said.
Chinese state media reported that Wang issued his own warning to Washington.
“The United States must not use bilateral treaties as an excuse to undermine China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, nor should it support or condone the Philippines’ actions of infringement,” Wang told Sullivan, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
Source: CNA
