In their greatest animosity, the US and Chinese presidents meet in Bali for the start of the G-20 summit
It took nearly three years, and a pandemic, for the two most powerful men in the world to see each other face to face, with no mask or screen between them. In a meeting expected by the entire planet, the presidents of the United States and China, Joe Biden and Xi Jinping, met on Tuesday in Bali, where the G-20 summit will be held tomorrow and Wednesday.
Taking advantage of their presence, both have been able to chat in person for the first time since Biden was sworn in as president of the United States in January 2020. The coronavirus pandemic had just broken out in China at the time and, due to obsessive prevention, Xi has been confined to his country for more than two years. After staying in power for weeks during the XXth Congress of the Communist Party, he returns to the international scene by attending this forum that brings together the most advanced countries with the emerging powers in development.
Their meeting comes at the worst moment in diplomatic relations between the two great powers, with an economic and political animosity that has led to a new “Cold War”. Symbolizing the conflict between the hegemonic power of the last century, the United States, and the rising of the next, China, Biden attended the meeting with Xi at the Mulia Hotel in Nusa Dua, the imposing complex of luxury hotels where this summit of the G-20.
As Xi waited for him in front of the flags of both countries, Biden entered the room with his arm outstretched to shake his hand. Without masks, both smiled at the cameras and then joined their delegations in a conference room. With quite a distance between them and everyone wearing a mask except Biden and Xi, the usual congratulations were given in the opening minutes of the meeting, accessible to the media.
“The last time we met was at the Davos Forum in 2017, five years ago. During this time we have seen changes as great as never before. The world expects China and the US to manage their relationship well,” Xi welcomed him, hoping to maintain a “sincere and deep exchange of views on strategic issues of mutual interest.” As “leaders of two great countries”, the Chinese president has advocated “charting our way, finding the right direction for our relationship and elevating it”. While recalling that the two have been in contact via video conference all along, he also acknowledged that such communication “cannot replace face-to-face meetings.” Questioning him directly, he told Biden, “I trust I can work with you.”
For his part, the US president has stressed the importance of “avoiding conflict” with China. He agreed with Xi that there was “little substitute” for face-to-face talks, and has pledged to “keep the lines of communication open between us” so that their two countries can “cooperate on pressing global issues” such as climate change. and uncertainty. Echoing Xi’s words, he has assured that the world “expects” the US and China to work together.
Source: La Verdad
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