Biden and Xi Pledge to Ease Tensions at Crucial Summit

At a high-stakes summit in California, President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to steer their countries away from conflict Wednesday, marking their first meeting in a year. The meeting began with a warm greeting as Biden welcomed Xi at the scenic Filoli country estate near San Francisco, and then they proceeded to have closed-door talks on various issues, including Taiwan, sanctions, and trade.

Inside a decoratively furnished ballroom, both leaders sat opposite each other at a long wooden table as Biden emphasized the need to understand each other clearly and ensure that competition does not escalate into conflict while addressing global challenges such as climate change, drugs, and artificial intelligence.

Xi responded by acknowledging the unbearable consequences of conflict and confrontation, emphasizing that turning their backs on each other is not an option, and that the planet is big enough for both countries to succeed.

Biden and Xi’s last in-person meeting was in Bali in November 2022, and relations were further strained after the United States shot down an alleged Chinese spy balloon in February this year. While US officials downplayed the expectation of major breakthroughs, they were hopeful for an agreement on various issues, including restoring a hotline between the Chinese and US militaries and stopping supplies of the drug fentanyl.

Among the sensitive issues discussed during the talks, Taiwan was a key focus, with Biden emphasizing the US’s commitment to the “One China” policy that does not support Taiwanese independence but continues to provide military aid to Taiwan.

While the summit was expected to address concerns over human rights in China and potential progress on cooperation to limit Chinese exports of fentanyl ingredients, it also provided an opportunity for China to push for an end to trade curbs and sanctions to bolster its struggling economy.