According to U.S. officials, Biden and Xi are to meet in the San Francisco Bay Area on Wednesday, 2023.
President Joe Biden is slated to meet face-to-face with Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking their first in-person encounter in a year.
The meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the San Francisco Bay area is a crucial diplomatic effort to mitigate tensions between the United States and China, the world’s two foremost superpowers.
Anticipated to be an extensive dialogue, the discussions are expected to encompass a spectrum of global issues, ranging from the Israel-Hamas conflict to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, North Korea’s ties with Russia, Taiwan, the Indo-Pacific region, human rights, fentanyl, artificial intelligence, and concerns about “fair” trade and economic relations.
A senior Biden administration official says the talks will be comprehensive, leaving no topic untouched. The officials acknowledge the historical challenges in shaping or reforming China over several decades but underscore the expectation that China will remain a significant global player in the foreseeable future.
The meeting, pursued by U.S. officials for almost a year, reflects concerns that Beijing has been actively working to undermine U.S. policies globally. The encounter comes after a diplomatic blitz initiated by the U.S. president’s team to mend relations following the shooting down of a suspected Chinese spy balloon transiting U.S. skies in February.
While both sides may make modest gestures of goodwill to facilitate discussions, profound progress is anticipated to be challenging. The United States and China are increasingly competing, vying for military dominance, economic supremacy, and influence over second-tier countries.
Efforts to carefully manage Xi’s visit might face challenges in Northern California, which is known for its history of left-wing protests. The dynamics between Biden and Xi, who have known each other for over a decade, are characterized by mutual suspicion, grievances, and differing impressions.
Biden, despite domestic challenges, has rallied traditional allies globally, confronting Russia in Ukraine and navigating differences over the Israel-Hamas conflict. The U.S.’s longstanding Asian alliances are being mobilized to deter conflict with China.
Xi, a decade younger than Biden, has consolidated power in China, emerging as the most influential leader since Mao Zedong. Economic challenges have disrupted China’s three-decade growth trajectory.
Diplomats expect Beijing to test the U.S. in the coming weeks, leveraging the perceived shift in U.S. focus on Ukraine and Israel to pursue its ambitions in the Indo-Pacific.
Key issues on Biden’s agenda include:
- Raising concerns about Chinese “influence operations” in foreign elections.
- The status of U.S. citizens detained in China.
- Reiterating commitments in the Indo-Pacific.
Biden is expected to emphasize the unchanged U.S. commitment to the security of the Philippines and urge Xi to caution Iran against expanding conflicts in the Middle East.
As Biden, 80, seeks a second term amidst concerns about U.S. democracy, and Xi faces economic challenges, the meeting sets the stage for a critical juncture in U.S.-China relations. While the talks may result in promises for increased diplomatic dialogue, the deep-rooted competition between the two nations poses obstacles to substantial progress.
The global community watches closely as these discussions unfold, aware of the far-reaching implications for international relations and stability.
