U.S. and China agree to talks before Biden-Xi summit, addressing various global concerns.
The United States and China have reached an agreement to collaborate in preparation for an upcoming meeting between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping, expected to take place next month. This agreement follows extensive discussions between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and senior U.S. diplomats in Washington, marking the first visit by a Chinese foreign minister to the U.S. since 2018.
During his visit, Wang Yi also held an hour-long meeting with President Biden, which the White House described as a valuable opportunity to maintain open lines of communication between the two nations, despite their significant policy differences. Wang’s discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spanned over two days, totaling nine hours and characterized as candid and in-depth.
Key concerns raised by Biden’s top aides included the need to reestablish military communication channels, China’s actions in the East and South China Sea, the Taiwan issue, human rights, the flow of fentanyl precursors, and the cases of detained Americans in China. There were also frank exchanges regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
One promising development was the progress made toward an anticipated meeting between Biden and Xi during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled for the next month in San Francisco. While preparations are underway, the formal announcement is expected to come from the Chinese side.
Wang Yi conveyed his visit’s objective, which is to prevent further deterioration in U.S.-China relations, with a focus on the upcoming summit in San Francisco. Both sides agreed to work together to facilitate a meeting between the two heads of state in San Francisco, emphasizing the importance of stabilizing and improving bilateral ties.
The Biden administration views direct leader-level engagement with Xi as crucial for managing tensions and avoiding potential conflicts. Wang stressed the need for comprehensive and in-depth dialogue to address disagreements and enhance understanding.
Wang’s three-day visit followed a series of diplomatic engagements in recent months, initiated by the U.S. to salvage the deteriorating relationship, particularly following an incident involving a Chinese spy balloon. However, some in Washington have expressed concerns that the visits by U.S. officials to Beijing may inadvertently benefit China.
The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has added complexity to the U.S.-China relationship, with Washington seeking Beijing’s influence to prevent an escalation in the Middle East. U.S. officials raised concerns about China’s actions in the South China Sea and the East China Sea during their discussions with Wang. These concerns included China’s interference with a Philippine resupply mission and the interception of a U.S. aircraft.
