As world leaders conclude their discussions at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, President Biden’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping has sparked concerns about China’s aggressive behavior. Gordon Chang, a senior fellow at the Gatestone Institute, highlighted the alarming disregard shown by China towards warnings from the State Department and President Biden himself, suggesting that this lack of deterrence could potentially lead to a war. Chang emphasized the dangerous situations surrounding Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines, indicating that China’s militant regime poses a significant threat that Biden is unwilling to acknowledge.
During the summit, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying issued a blunt warning regarding America’s friendly relations with Taiwan, labeling the “Taiwan question” as the most sensitive issue in China-U.S. relations. She urged the U.S. to honor its commitment of not supporting “Taiwan independence” and to cease arming Taiwan, emphasizing China’s determination for reunification.
President Biden’s reference to Xi Jinping as a “dictator” further exemplified the tense relationship between the two leaders. Biden justified his use of the term by highlighting China’s communist government, which starkly contrasts with the U.S. system. However, Chang criticized the decision to engage in talks with Xi Jinping, arguing that it was a mistake from the start. He questioned why the Biden administration was once again relying on promises from China, despite Xi Jinping’s previous violations of commitments, such as the fentanyl agreement in 2018.
The presence of top U.S. business leaders, including Tim Cook of Apple, Larry Fink of BlackRock, Ray Dalio of Bridgewater Associates, and Albert Bourla of Pfizer, at a dinner hosted by the Chinese regime also raised concerns. Reports indicated that these business leaders gave Xi Jinping a standing ovation following his speech. Chang highlighted the weakness displayed not only by CEOs but also by President Biden when it comes to China.
Chang argued that if Biden truly stood up to China in a meaningful way, there could be hope for improved relations. However, he criticized Biden for being consistently wrong on foreign policy and national security matters throughout his four-decade-long career. Chang warned that Biden’s approach to China would have severe consequences for the United States in the near future.
In conclusion, President Biden’s meeting with Xi Jinping has been met with criticism, as experts raise concerns about China’s aggressive tactics and Biden’s perceived inability to effectively address them. The warnings from China’s foreign ministry and the questionable behavior of U.S. business leaders have only added to the apprehensions surrounding China-U.S. relations. It remains to be seen how the Biden administration will navigate this complex relationship and address the growing threats posed by China.
