The meeting between US national security advisor Jake Sullivan and top Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi comes at a time of “heightened tensions between the world’s two largest economies”, according to Reuters.
Sullivan and Jiechi will follow up on a September 9 phone call between Presidents Biden and Jinping, according to a White House statementExternal link, which added that the US objective is to “responsibly manage the competition” between the countries.
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What Switzerland can do about the US-China rivalry
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Rising tensions between the two powers pose a challenge to smaller countries on the sidelines that want to avoid getting caught in the middle.
President Biden has repeatedly said he does not want conflict with China, although various contentious issues persist, both economic and security, notably relating to Taiwan.
On Monday, the White House had criticised Beijing over several days of military activity in Taiwanese airspace. China, which claims ownership of the island, blames the US for increased tensions in the area.
As for what exactly is on the agenda in Zurich, this is not clear, although there has been rumours of an imminent presidential summit.
“I think the hope is that it will lead to a Biden-Xi Jinping meeting, which may have to be virtual,” Bonnie Glaser of the German Marshall Fund of the United States told Reuters.
Sullivan will travel to Brussels after the Zurich talks to meet NATO and EU officials, before going to Paris – the latest step in US diplomatic efforts to smooth relations after a cancelled submarine deal last month caused tensions with France.
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Sylvain Saudan, ‘skier of the impossible’, dies aged 87
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The Swiss father of extreme skiing pioneered descents from the Alps to the Himalayas – and became the sport’s first star.
Hayek family buys additional Swatch shares for nearly CHF11 million
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Following the acquisition of registered shares worth over CHF20.6 million on Monday, the Hayek family made another purchase on Tuesday.
Suicide capsule to be used in Switzerland this year, says euthanasia organisation
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The organisation “The Last Resort” has confirmed that the suicide capsule Sarco is to be used in Switzerland. This should happen this year, it said.
Ukrainian children flown to Switzerland for cancer treatment
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The Swiss air rescue service Rega flew two Ukrainian children with cancer to Switzerland from a hospital in Kyiv hit by Russian missiles.
Swiss Solidarity raises over CHF10 million for victims of extreme weather
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The money raised will be used to help those affected by the recent storms and flooding in the cantons of Ticino, Graubünden, and Valais.
Swiss giant Roche given green light for lung cancer drug in Canada
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According to a recent study, Roche’s Alecensaro reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 76% compared to chemotherapy alone.
Swiss luxury watch market hit hard by China-led slump
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Sales of Swiss-made luxury watches are in sharp retreat as nervous consumers reconsider splashing out on expensive timepieces and demand slumps.
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China slams Switzerland for ‘interfering in internal affairs’
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China has attacked Switzerland and 26 other countries for criticising a sweeping new national security law imposed on Hong Kong.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the four hours of talks with US President Joe Biden in Geneva had been constructive.
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