Biden Aims to Restore Military Ties with China, White House Says
Meeting Scheduled on November 15
Overt Operator
November 13, 2023
United States President Joe Biden is determined to re-establish military-to-military ties with China, according to White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan. The announcement comes ahead of Biden's face-to-face meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco, a conference lasting from November 11 to November 17. Biden and Xi's meeting is set to take place during the week-long summit on November 15.
Sullivan emphasized the importance of restoring communication channels between the two countries, stating that it is crucial to prevent mistakes, miscalculations, and miscommunication. The re-establishment of military ties would occur at various levels, ranging from senior leadership to tactical operations, and would extend to the Indo-Pacific region.
During the meeting with Xi, Biden intends to make progress in advancing military ties, although specific details were not disclosed. Sullivan stressed that this is a top agenda item for the president, as China has severed communication links in the past.
The Biden-Xi meeting is expected to address a wide range of global issues, including the Israel-Hamas conflict, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, North Korea's relations with Russia, Taiwan, the Indo-Pacific region, human rights concerns, fentanyl production, artificial intelligence, as well as trade and economic relations.
Tensions between the United States and China have escalated following an incident in February when Biden ordered the shooting down of a suspected Chinese spy balloon that entered U.S. airspace.
However, the Biden administration remains committed to engaging with China on various fronts, recognizing the importance of maintaining open lines of communication to ensure global stability and cooperation.
The re-establishment of military ties with China aligns with Biden's broader vision for U.S. foreign policy, which emphasizes diplomacy and engagement with international partners. By strengthening military-to-military relations, the United States aims to foster understanding, reduce the potential for conflicts, and promote cooperation on shared challenges.
As the world's two largest economies, the United States and China play a critical role in shaping the global landscape. By seeking to restore military ties, Biden aims to create a foundation for constructive dialogue and collaboration, recognizing that there are areas of common interest despite existing differences.
The upcoming meeting between Biden and Xi holds significant importance, providing an opportunity for both leaders to engage directly on pressing issues and work towards finding common ground. The re-establishment of military-to-military ties will serve as a significant step towards strengthening overall bilateral relations and promoting stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
With the meeting just days away, the international community will closely watch the outcomes and developments resulting from this crucial exchange between the two leaders. As Biden seeks to re-establish military ties with China, the success of this endeavor will have far-reaching implications for global security and cooperation.