White House officials have confirmed that President Biden will be meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping this month in an effort to ease tensions between the two countries. The meeting, scheduled to take place in San Francisco’s Bay Area on November 15, aims to discuss various issues in the U.S.-PRC bilateral relationship, the importance of open communication, and regional and global challenges.
This meeting comes as an attempt by the Biden administration to cool tempers between the US and China after almost a year of negative diplomacy. Sino-U.S. relations have soured intensely early this year, following the discovery of Chinese spy craft in U.S. airspace, which was subsequently shot down over the Atlantic Ocean. Additionally, China has expressed dissatisfaction with the U.S.’s ambiguous stance on Taiwan’s independence, as the U.S. has not officially recognized the island’s sovereignty while maintaining diplomatic engagements with Taiwanese leadership.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel have further complicated relations between the U.S. and China, with both countries maneuvering for strategic diplomatic positions regarding these conflicts.
President Biden’s meeting with President Xi Jinping aims to build on their previous discussion during the G20 Summit in 2022, where both leaders agreed on the need for more direct communication between the U.S. and China. The White House has emphasized the importance and mutual benefit of competition between the two nations, describing the meeting as intense diplomacy and a tough conversation.
The Biden administration hopes that this meeting will contribute to the responsible management of competition between the U.S. and China, as well as finding areas of cooperation on transnational challenges that affect the international community.
As the meeting approaches, Republicans are demanding answers regarding a top Biden official’s invitation to CCP leaders to a sensitive national security site. This development adds another layer of complexity to the already delicate U.S.-China relationship.
Overall, the meeting between President Biden and President Xi Jinping holds significant importance in the context of global events. It reflects the Biden administration’s efforts to address tensions and foster open communication with China, as well as navigate the complex dynamics of international conflicts and strategic positioning.
