Unannounced high-level negotiations between the US and China take place.

The White House and China held unannounced meetings in Vienna on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss issues ranging from the Ukraine conflict to tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Both sides agreed that the balloon incident was "unfortunate" and wished to reestablish standard, normal channels of communication. The US has stepped up efforts to seek more meetings and calls with Chinese officials, and is aiming for a phone call between US President Joe Biden and his counterpart, Xi Jinping. Washington has refrained from formally recognizing Taiwan as an independent state, but has sold weapons to the government and promised to defend the island.