U.S. and China to keep lines of communication open to avert conflict.
U.S. President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to improve cooperation during the “substantive” three and a half hours virtual talk but the meeting did not result in any major breakthrough.
The meeting was meant to cool tensions between the two powers as the leaders agreed to keep lines of communication open to avert conflict. It was the first time since Biden took office that the two leaders had a face-to-face meeting.
They discussed North Korea, Afghanistan, Iran, global energy markets, trade and competition, climate, military issues, the pandemic and other areas. A senior Biden administration official described the dialogue as “respectful and straightforward and it was open”.
Common interests
Calling Biden an “old friend”, Xi expressed readiness to work with Biden “to build consensus, take active steps, and move the China-U.S. relationship forward in a positive direction.” Biden emphasized the need for the U.S. and China to work more closely in areas where their interests align especially on vital global issues such as the COVID pandemic and climate change. “The two sides could fully harness the dialogue channels and mechanisms between their diplomatic and security, economic and financial, and climate change teams, in an effort to advance practical cooperation and resolve specific issues,” the Chinese President said.
Taiwan
President Biden raised concerns about the PRC’s practices in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong, as well as human rights more broadly, the White House statement said. On Taiwan, President Biden underscored that the United States remains committed to the “one China” and that the United States strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Xi told Biden his country would be “compelled to take decisive measures” if Taiwan separatist forces crossed a “red line.” He stressed that “there is but one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China” and that is the “true status quo of Taiwan.”
Economy
Biden underscored “the need to protect American workers and industries from the PRC’s unfair trade and economic practices.” He also discussed the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific and the continued determination of the United States to uphold itscommitments in the region. Meanwhile, Xi compared China and the U.S. to two giant ships at sea, each needing to be steered steadily to avoid losing speed or colliding.
Steady China-U.S. relationship
“As the world’s two largest economies and permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, China and the United States need to increase communication and cooperation,” President Xi said in his remarks before the virtual meeting. “A sound and steady China-U.S. relationship is required for advancing our two countries’ respective development and for safeguarding a peaceful and stable international environment… China and the United States should respect each other, coexist in peace, and pursue win-win cooperation.”
