In a high-level meeting between Chinese military official Zhang Youxia and US national security advisor Jake Sullivan, Taiwan was declared as Beijing's "uncrossable first red line." Zhang, who holds the position of vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, met with Sullivan before the US official had discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the final day of his three-day visit to China.

During the meeting, Zhang emphasized that Taiwan is not only of utmost importance to China's core interests but also serves as the foundation of the political basis for US-China relations. Zhang demanded that the United States put an end to its military ties with Taiwan, refrain from arming the island, and cease spreading what China refers to as false narratives concerning Taiwan.

Beijing has consistently viewed Taiwan as part of its territory, with intentions to reunify the island by force if necessary. This stance has been conveyed as a crucial "red line" in the relationship between the US and China, which Beijing strongly emphasizes must not be crossed.

While most countries, including the US, do not officially recognize Taiwan as an independent state, Washington opposes any attempts to take over the island by force. As a result, the US is legally obligated to provide Taiwan with armaments in order to safeguard its defense capabilities.

In addition to Taiwan, the meeting between Zhang and Sullivan also addressed the escalating tensions between China and the Philippines in the disputed South China Sea. The United States has pledged its support to Manila under the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.

The White House stated that Sullivan underscored the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and reaffirmed America's commitment to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. The meeting also touched upon Beijing's support for Moscow and the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

Furthermore, both sides have agreed to arrange a call between theater commanders in the near future to foster better communication and understanding. Sullivan's visit marks the first time a White House national security advisor has traveled to Beijing in eight years, with the previous visit occurring in 2013.

Notably, President Joe Biden, who is nearing the end of his presidency, has not yet visited China during his tenure, making him the first president since Jimmy Carter to do so. However, it was recently announced that Biden and President Xi Jinping will have a phone conversation in the coming weeks, indicating a potential diplomatic dialogue on the horizon.

As tensions persist in the region, the discussions between Chinese and US officials highlight the complex dynamics and the critical need for diplomatic engagement to navigate the challenging issues impacting East Asia and the broader international community.