US President Joe Biden is dispatching White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan for talks with senior Chinese foreign policy adviser Yang Jiechi in Switzerland as the two countries find themselves at odds on a variety of issues including Taiwan and trade.
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The meeting, set for Wednesday in Zurich, comes after the White House on Monday criticized China over several days of sustained military harassment against the self-ruled island of Taiwan.
The talks are to be a follow-up on Biden's call with President Xi Jinping last month as the administration continues "to seek to responsibly manage the competition" between the two countries, White House National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne said.
The White House this week raised concerns that China was undermining regional peace and stability with its "provocative" action.
In recent days, China has sent dozens of fighter planes toward Taiwan - including a record 56 on Monday.
US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said in a speech on Monday she plans frank conversations with officials in Beijing about an interim trade deal aimed at resolving a tariff war.
Tai said she did not want to "inflame trade tensions with China".
But her comments suggested that Biden will continue enforcing tough tariffs against China adopted by his predecessor Donald Trump.
The latest incursions occurred after Taiwan applied to join a major regional trade pact.
China vehemently opposes foreign efforts that offer Taiwan the appearance of sovereign status and has expressed its opposition to the application.
China claims democratically ruled Taiwan as its own territory, to be brought under its control by force if necessary.
It refuses to recognise the island's government and has increasingly sought to isolate the independence-leaning administration of President Tsai Ing-wen.
Sullivan will also travel this week to Brussels and Paris for talks with allies.
Australian Associated Press
