'Stop spreading false narratives': China warns Sullivan to stop colluding with Taiwan during Beijing visit

China's most senior uniformed military official, Zhang Youxia, on Thursday (Aug 29), warned the US National Security Adviser (NSA) Jake Sullivan that the White House must stop "military collusion" with Taiwan and stop spreading 'false narratives'. 

Zhang is the vice-chair of the powerful Central Military Commission and is the most senior military official to meet a US official from the Biden administration. Sullivan on Thursday concluded a three-day trip to China, which was the first by a White House NSA in eight years. 

"China demands that the US halts military collusion with Taiwan, ceases arming Taiwan, and stops spreading false narratives related to Taiwan," the readout from the Chinese side stated. 

Zhang warned that the status of the island nation was "the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-US relations".

"China has always been committed to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," he said. 

"But 'Taiwan independence' and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are incompatible."

While Beijing delivered a clear response, the US stressed the importance of stability in the tense Strait. 

"Mr Sullivan underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," stated the readout by the White House. 

Sullivan also raised the importance of "freedom of navigation" in the South China Sea, where Beijing and Manila have clashed in recent months. 

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Hellscape strategy

Zhang's statement also comes in the backdrop of the US military releasing its "Hellscape' strategy in June under which the PLA troops will be stopped from setting foot on Taiwanese land by a swarm of drones. 

“I want to turn the Taiwan Strait into an unmanned hellscape,” Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of US Indo-Pacific Command, told The Washington Post in an interview published on June 10.

Also read | China plans to use drones to blockade Taiwan after US unveils 'Hellscape' strategy

China claims self-ruled democratic Taiwan as a part of its territory. Under President Xi Jinping's leadership, Beijing has not renounced the use of force to bring the island under control. 

Apart from meeting Zhang, Sullivan also held a meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussed plans for their leaders to talk in the coming weeks. 

Chinese state media reported that Wang issued his own warning to Washington. The diplomat said the US must not use its bilateral treaties to "undermine China's sovereignty". 

(With inputs from agencies)