Biden and Xi Set to Hold Summit Talks in San Francisco to Stabilize Tense Ties
WASHINGTON, Nov 8: President Joe Biden of the United States and President Xi Jinping of China are expected to hold summit talks in San Francisco next week. This summit meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum marks the second time in nearly three years that they will meet in-person.
The meeting follows a six-month U.S. push to engage its geopolitical rival and recover from a diplomatic crisis over the U.S. downing of an alleged Chinese spy balloon in February.
The summit has garnered significant attention and is expected to overshadow other events at APEC. While no major breakthroughs are anticipated, the meeting provides an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss critical issues and signals a commitment to constructive dialogue.
APEC, composed of 21 member economies, accounts for approximately 62% of global GDP and almost half of global trade, but it has also become a stage for strategic competition between the U.S. and China.
While experts do not anticipate any grand bargains or immediate solutions, they suggest that increased commercial flights between the U.S. and China and potential cooperation on complex issues like controlling the flow of fentanyl precursor chemicals from China could be signs of progress.
The dialogue also allows the leaders to discuss thorny matters such as military communication, with hopes of improving relations.
The summit, initially sought after by Washington, has seen China playing hard to get. Beijing has emphasized that President Xi’s attendance hinges on the U.S. showing “sufficient sincerity.”
The Biden administration argues that direct engagement, particularly at the leader level, is essential to manage tensions, prevent disputes from escalating, and work towards mutual cooperation.
The San Francisco meeting will be a highly-watched event, with protesters expected to both support and oppose China.
President Biden and other APEC leaders will aim to project a positive image and reinforce their engagement in Asia as a dynamic economic partner.
While some concerns exist about China’s economic conditions and policies in the region, experts suggest that the U.S. will attempt to show itself as a growing and vibrant economic partner in comparison to China.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, in discussions with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, stated that Washington would not ask APEC members to choose between the U.S. and China. She also acknowledged the impracticality of complete decoupling of the U.S. and Chinese economies.
The summit in San Francisco will address various economic and strategic matters, focusing on a constructive dialogue between the two global superpowers.
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