The long-awaited meeting between US President Joe Biden and Chinese head of state Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 summit on the Indonesian island of Bali should strengthen diplomatic relations between the two world powers. As expected, the two sides spoke “openly and clearly” about national interests, as President Biden explained after nearly three hours. Even though the list of controversial issues was long, Xi and Biden agreed on the nuclear issue. According to a White House statement, the two presidents reiterated their opposition “to the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine”.
The list of controversial issues was long: China’s support for Russian President Vladimir Putin after his invasion of Ukraine, trade war and US sanctions, China’s clash of arms against democratic Taiwan and its territorial claims in the South China Sea. China, in turn, accuses the United States of wanting to hinder its rise in the world. The US increasingly sees China as a rival and a threat.
Biden has warned Xi against using military force against Taiwan. Accordingly, in the conversation, the US president assured that the US one-China policy had not changed. But Washington also rejects any unilateral change in the status quo – be it by China or Taiwan.
“The Chinese people will not allow this”
Xi, for his part, urged Biden to stay out of the conflict over Taiwan. “Resolving the Taiwan issue is a matter for the Chinese and China’s internal affairs,” he said during his meeting with Biden, according to Chinese sources. It is the “first red line not to be violated in China-US relations”. It is the “common desire” of the Chinese people to achieve “reunification”. Any attempt to separate Taiwan from China violates the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation, Xi said. “It’s impossible for the Chinese people to allow that.”
Taiwan thanks US for support
Meanwhile, Taiwan welcomed the US commitment to the status quo of the island democratic republic. After the Biden Xi meeting, government spokesman Xavier Chang said in Taipei on Monday that Taiwan is grateful that Biden is again resisting unilaterally changing the status quo and undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. It shows that maintaining peace in the Straits is a “common desire” of the world community.
After the meeting, Xi sharply criticized the US trade war with China. Speaking to Biden, according to Chinese information, he also opposed economic and trade relations, as well as exchanges in science and technology “to be politicized and used as a weapon.” “Starting a trade and technology war, building walls and barriers, promoting decoupling and disrupting supply chains goes against the market economy and undermines international trade rules,” said the Chinese leader. “Repression and containment will only strengthen the will and morale of the Chinese people.”
“Misunderstandings must be avoided”
Despite the hard fronts, Biden was forgiving after the appointment. The US president stressed that he did not believe there would be no immediate attempt by China to invade Taiwan. Misunderstandings should in any case be avoided. Xi also stressed that cooperation is in the interests of both countries. According to reports, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has already been ordered to fly to China to hold further talks with the Chinese government.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
