After relations between the United States and China deteriorated further recently, Xi Jinping and Joe Biden now meet in person for the first time as presidents. The highly anticipated meeting will take place ahead of the G20 summit on the island of Bali. Biden tried to take a clear stand beforehand, saying he wanted to show the Chinese president “red lines”.
“There are few misunderstandings between us. We just need to figure out where the red lines are — and what are the most important things for each of us over the next two years,” Biden said ahead of the meeting. Sunday evening (local time) he had already arrived in Bali.
relationships at a new low
Relations between China and the US are at a low ebb. Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan estimated the meeting on the resort island of Bali could last several hours. “The president sees the US and China in fierce competition, but this competition must not degenerate into conflict or confrontation and must be resolved responsibly,” he warned.
All countries, including the US and China, would have to act under a set of “well-established and agreed-upon rules”. “Use of intimidation, coercion or aggression” should be avoided.
Long list of problems
Biden and Xi meet a day before the start of the two-day summit of the Group of Leading Economists (G20) in Nusa Dua. The list of controversial issues is 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.
Expectations are muted
The purpose of the talks is also to identify areas in which China and the United States share interests, Sullivan announced. These are, for example, climate change or public health. Both countries should also cooperate on these issues. Personal exchange at the highest level is the most effective way.
The White House had already tempered expectations last week, stating that there would likely be no joint statement after the meeting.
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.
