Biden and Xi to Meet in San Francisco Amidst Strained Relations
United States and China To Address Key Agenda Items
Overt Operator
November 10, 2023
Next Wednesday, November 15, Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping are set to meet in San Francisco on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, according to a statement from the White House. The meeting comes as tensions between the two countries have escalated throughout the year.
The focus of the meeting will be on maintaining open lines of communication and finding areas of cooperation amidst growing competition. Both leaders recognize the importance of managing their economic and military powers responsibly and addressing transnational challenges that impact the international community.
Trade will be a key topic of discussion, but the agenda will also include addressing geopolitical flashpoints, such as the situation in Ukraine, the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, and security concerns related to Taiwan.
Tensions with Taiwan escalated last year when then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a brief visit to the self-ruled island. China responded with encircling war drills and severed military-to-military communications with the Pentagon. The Biden administration is determined to restore communication and cooperation on the military front to prevent misunderstandings.
Chinese intercepts of US and allied spy planes near China's coast have become increasingly dangerous.
According to sources who spoke to the BBC, President Biden is committed to restoring these channels of communication. However, China appears to be reluctant to do so. Officials from the US have acknowledged that the relationship between the two countries has changed significantly over the past decade.
They emphasize that the goal of this meeting is not to achieve a long list of outcomes or deliverables, but rather to establish a foundation for future engagement.
The meeting between Biden and Xi comes at a crucial time for US-China relations. Both leaders face the challenge of finding common ground amid growing competition and differing interests. The outcome of this meeting will have far-reaching implications for the relationship between the two superpowers and the stability of the Asia-Pacific region.
As the meeting approaches, all eyes will be on San Francisco, as the world watches to see how these two leaders navigate the complex web of issues that divide them, and whether they can find areas of common interest to build upon.