TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — China's top general on Thursday (Aug. 29) told US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan the US must cease its “military collusion” with Taiwan.

On Thursday, Sullivan held talks with General Zhang Youxia (張又俠), Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), marking the first meeting of a Biden administration official with Zhang, per VOA. This is also the first time a senior US official has met with the CMC's vice chairman since 2018.

In his opening remarks at the People's Liberation Army's Bayi building in Beijing, Sullivan noted that it was a rare opportunity to hold such an exchange. He added, “Given the state of the world and the need for us to responsibly manage the US-China relationship, I think this is a very important meeting," per AFP.

Zhang responded by thanking Sullivan for his visit and said the meeting demonstrated the values the US government places on military security. 

According to a readout of the meeting released by the US Embassy in China, Sullivan said, “Both countries have a responsibility to prevent competition from veering into conflict or confrontation." He added the two sides ”reaffirmed the importance of regular military-to-military communications as part of efforts to maintain high-level diplomacy and open lines of communication."

Sullivan emphasized the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and Washington's commitment to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. He also addressed concerns about China's support for Russia's military manufacturers, the need to prevent miscalculation and escalation in cyberspace, and efforts to reach a ceasefire and hostage agreement in Gaza.

However, in the minutes of the talks released by China's Ministry of National Defense, Zhang urged the US to, “Correct its strategic perceptions of China, adopt a rational and pragmatic policy toward China, truly respect China’s core interests, promote military-to-military communication and exchanges together with China, and jointly shoulder responsibilities as major countries.”

Zhang said the “Taiwan question” is at the core of China's interests and the bedrock of China-US relations. He claimed that “Taiwan independence forces are incompatible with peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait as fire with water.” 

The general warned the PLA would take "countermeasures against the provocations of the ‘Taiwan independence’ forces.” 

He added, "China urges the US side to stop military collusion with Taiwan, stop arming Taiwan, and stop spreading false narratives on Taiwan.”