In the latest attempt to ease efforts between the two major powers, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Malta, AFP reported citing White House officials. 

The White House statement noted that one of the meeting's main takeaways was a commitment from both officials to maintain this strategic channel of communication and to pursue additional high-level engagement.

"This meeting was part of ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication and responsibly manage the relationship," the statement read.

Wang brought up the issue of Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory, as a "red line that cannot be crossed in Sino-US relations." 

In correspondence, the US noted in the statement the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. 

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The One China principle

China considers the One China principle a main condition when engaging with foreign countries. The political doctrine was reached during a joint communique between the US and the PRC where both sides acknowledge that "all Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is but One China and that Taiwan is a part of China" and "does not challenge that position."

But in recent years, despite claiming otherwise, the US has been breaching its commitment to the policy, as it held several high-level meetings with Taiwanese officials, boosted weapons sales to the island, and increased its military presence in the Taiwan Strait.

Last Tuesday, the Taiwanese defense ministry said it detected 22 warplanes and 20 naval ships around Taiwan. 

The next day, it was also reported that 35 Chinese warplanes were detected around the island.

Read more: China troops on 'high alert' after US, Canada ships pass Taiwan Strait