President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping spoke for three hours on Monday. It was their first face-to-face meeting since Biden took office, and both parties seemed to be hoping it would help their rapidly deteriorating relations.
Biden told reporters when he emerged from the meeting that he had been “open and candid” with Xi about the variety of issues where Beijing and Washington disagree. He questioned whether Taiwan would soon be invaded and appeared optimistic that his advice to avoid all-out war was being heard.
The US president was open about the fact that he and Xi did not even come close to resolving the myriad of problems that have contributed to the worst US-China relations in decades.
At a news conference, Biden said, “I’m not saying this is kumbaya, but I don’t think there’s a need to worry about a new Cold War, as one of you raised a good point.
In anticipation of a chance to assess the most significant bilateral relationship in the world with Xi, Biden went into the talks on Monday. He described Xi as being “the way he’s always been: direct and straightforward,” rather than being overly confrontational.
According to Biden, “He was clear, and I was clear, that we will defend American interests and values, advance universal human rights, uphold the international order, and work hand in hand with our allies and partners.” We’ll compete fiercely, but I’m not seeking for a fight.
Biden announced that his Secretary of State Antony Blinken would visit China and that officials from both countries would start collaborating to resolve issues, which was a sign that both men had come to the meeting hoping to mend the deteriorating relationship.
Biden voiced concerns about human rights and China’s provocations near Taiwan, according to a statement released by the White House following the discussion. However, they discovered at least one point of apparent agreement: it is forbidden to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, which is attempting to repel a Russian invasion.
In response to the threat of using nuclear weapons in Ukraine, President Biden and President Xi “reiterated their agreement that a nuclear war should never be fought and can never be won,” according to a White House readout.
In lengthy discussions at a five-star hotel in Bali that went well past their scheduled end time, Biden did highlight potential areas of cooperation with Xi, including on climate change.
Further nuclear or long-range missile tests by Pyongyang could persuade Biden to increase American military presence in the area, so he also tried to persuade Xi that a nuclear-armed North Korea was not in China’s best interests.
The ability of China to persuade Kim Jong Un to cease his nuclear tests is “difficult to assess,” according to Biden. “I’m sure China isn’t hoping North Korea will use more aggressive tactics,” said the author.
It’s nice to see you.
Biden and Xi walked toward one another from opposite ends of a hotel lobby in the late afternoon as the meeting got underway, shaking hands in front of a row of American and Chinese flags. They grinned for the cameras as Xi appeared to say, “Good to see you,” through a translator.
As the talks began, Biden said, “I believe that it is our shared responsibility as leaders of our two countries to demonstrate that China and the United States can manage our differences, prevent competition from ever approaching conflict, and find ways to work together on urgent global issues that require our mutual cooperation.”
China and the United States are expected to play significant roles in addressing global challenges, he said.
Speaking after his counterpart, who has spent more than 50 years on the international stage, Xi appeared to deliver what might be interpreted as a direct message.
Through a translator, Xi said, “A statesman should consider and know where to lead his country. “He should also consider and be aware of how to get along with other nations and the global community.”
The discussions between the two leaders on Monday could have repercussions that last for months or even years as the biggest economies in the world move closer to hostilities.
Only a small portion of the time the two men have been in each other’s company since 2011 will be represented by their time together on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit here. Biden has claimed that as vice president, he spent north of 70 hours with Xi and traveled 17,000 miles with him across China and the United States – both exaggerations, but still reflective of a relationship that is now perhaps the most important on the planet.