New talks between Biden and Xi: US and Chinese forces to resume direct military communications
During his meeting with China’s premier, Xi Jinping, President Joe Biden announced the reopening of direct lines of communication between the American and Chinese military forces, a move that has been initiated for the first time in more than a year. President Biden stated that the restoration of military-to-military communications would serve to prevent accidents that could lead to larger conflicts. This comes after Beijing suspended direct military contact with the US in April 2022, following then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. In addition to reopening military communication, President Biden and President Xi also agreed on other deals, including a joint effort to curb the production of fentanyl and discussions on the potential dangers of artificial intelligence. Other world events, such as the Israel-Hamas conflict and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, were also addressed in their discussions. The US president has also emphasized that they will continue to adhere to the “One China” policy, involving formal ties with China and informal ones with Taiwan. The press conference following their meeting also addressed the tensions between the two nations and how they plan to navigate their competitive relationship in a rational and manageable manner. President Biden expressed that trust remains a key element in their relationship, stating that they might not always agree on certain issues, but that they have been straightforward with one another. The White House later extended the sentiment, mentioning that the talks between the two leaders had been “candid and constructive,” and that they had made progress on several key issues.
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