Image source,Reuters
The two sides had a three-and-a-half-hour dialogue on areas of common concern.
US President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping began a video meeting at 8:45 on Tuesday (November 16) Beijing time. The two sides sent friendly signals to each other in their public opening remarks and expressed that they would start dialogues on areas of common concern.
This video meeting is the first time that Bi has met with Xi Jinping since he took the stage. The two parties had made two phone calls before. At present, US-China relations are divided in many areas such as trade, military, human rights, and science and technology. The leaders said that both sides hope to ease bilateral relations to a certain extent, but the outside world does not have high expectations for substantive results of the meeting.
This meeting was initiated by President Biden. After the opening remarks, we entered a closed-door meeting. The meeting was held in two halves and lasted three and a half hours.
The United States attended this meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, National Security Council Indo-Pacific Coordinator, Kurt Campbell, and National Security Council Senior Chinese Affairs Officer. Director Rosenberger (Laura Rosenberger) and Director of China Affairs of the National Security Commission Jon Czin.
Attending the meeting were Ding Xuexiang, Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, Liu He, Vice Premier of the State Council, Yang Jiechi, Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the CPC Central Committee, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng.
President Xi Jinping’s first video meeting with U.S. President Biden
What did Biden and Xi Jinping say in the opening remarks?
The two leaders sent friendly signals to each other in their opening remarks.
U.S. President Biden spoke first. He said that he and Xi Jinping have “spent a lot of time talking” over the years. “Maybe I should start more formally, but you and I have never been so formal.”
President Biden said in his opening remarks, “Our responsibility is to ensure that competition does not slip into conflict, whether intentional or unintentional, which means that our competition should be frank and direct.”
“We need to build a barrier that involves competition and is reasonable, treat our direct differences clearly and candidly, and work together in areas where our interests converge, especially on major global issues such as climate change.”
Biden also said that the relationship between the two powers is not only a matter of concern to the two countries, but also to the world. The responsibilities of both parties are not only to their respective peoples, but also to the world. Therefore, the United States also realized during this dialogue that “all countries must abide by the same rules of the road, which is why the United States always defends our interests and values, and defends our allies and partners.”
Regarding the areas involved in this dialogue, Biden focused on human rights, the economy, and ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
President Xi Jinping then gave a speech, calling Biden an “old friend.”
Image source,Reuters
As soon as they met, they waved to each other across the screen (the picture shows a Beijing restaurant broadcasting news of a video meeting between Biden and Xi Jinping on a big screen).
Xi Jinping first admitted that China and the United States are currently at a critical stage in their development and are facing many challenges. He believes that China and the United States, as the world‘s two largest economies and permanent members of the UN Security Council, should strengthen communication and cooperation.
Xi Jinping emphasized that “we should not only handle our respective domestic affairs well, but also shoulder our due international responsibilities, and jointly promote the noble cause of peace and development of mankind.”
He also said, “Promoting the development of China and the United States, maintaining a peaceful and stable international environment, including effective response to global challenges such as climate change and the new crown pneumonia epidemic, require a healthy and stable Sino-US relationship. China and the United States should respect each other and Peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. I would like to work with Mr. President to form a consensus and take active actions to lead the positive development of Sino-US relations.”
Taiwan issue shows differences
Taiwan affairs are considered to be the top priority of this video meeting. The White House and Xinhua News Agency, the mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party, respectively quoted the speeches of Biden and Xi Jinping, which shows that the two sides are still facing each other.
According to a statement issued by the White House, on Taiwan affairs, Biden pointed out that “the United States is still committed to the’One China’ policy, which is implemented under the guidance of the “Taiwan Relations Act”, the three joint communiqués and the six guarantees.”
Biden warned that “the United States strongly opposes unilaterally changing the status quo or undermining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”
It is worth noting that Biden’s wording on Taiwan affairs quoted by Xinhua News Agency is different.
Xinhua News Agency quoted Biden as saying, “The U.S. government is committed to pursuing the long-term and consistent’One China’ policy and does not support’Taiwan independence’. It hopes that the Taiwan Strait will maintain peace and stability.”
In contrast, even though Xi Jinping is rehashing the old tune for Taiwan, his words are tougher, even with a warning.
According to the Xinhua News Agency, Xi Jinping said that he admitted that the Taiwan Strait “faces a new round of tension” because “the Taiwan authorities have repeatedly tried to’rely on the United States for independence,’ and some people in the United States intend to’use Taiwan to control China’.”
He warned that this trend is “very dangerous. It is playing with fire, and you will burn yourself if you play with fire.” He reiterated that the one-China principle and the three Sino-US joint communiqués are the political foundation of Sino-US relations. There is no mention of the “six guarantees.”
Xi Jinping interpreted the status quo of the Taiwan issue and the core content of “One China”. He said, “There is only one China in the world, Taiwan is a part of China, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing China. China has achieved complete reunification. It is the common aspiration of all Chinese sons and daughters.”
Xi Jinping once again warned, “We are patient and willing to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with the utmost sincerity and our utmost efforts. However, if the’Taiwan independence’ separatist forces provoke persecution and even break through the red line, we will have to take drastic measures.”
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America’s “defensive” and China’s “bottom line”
Shi Jianyu, an associate researcher at the National Security Institute of the National Defense Security Research Institute, a think tank of the Ministry of National Defense of Taiwan, told the BBC Chinese that because the intention of the meeting was to raise issues of their respective concerns, the written statements of the two parties basically reflected their respective positions.
He said that the U.S. language “basically shows that it is on the defensive,” implying that China may unilaterally change the status quo.”
At the same time, China is also tit-for-tat on the Taiwan issue, “thinking that the United States has secretly changed its position,” Shi Jianyu said.
But some analysts hold different views.
Ma Zhao, an associate professor of the Department of East Asian Studies at Washington University in St. Louis, pointed out to the BBC Chinese that the main purpose of this meeting was to “understand the bottom line of the two sides on major issues, or to re-determine under a competitive relationship. Bottom line.”
He said that the public statement is mainly about the attitude of the domestic people, and regarding Taiwan affairs, at least the two sides will reach an agreement on the concept of “bottom line” in the audience.
Ma Zhao believes that “Beijing can accept the low-key US contacts with Taiwan, as long as the White House can not abandon the one-China policy, can control Taipei, and can play a stabilizing role between the’anti-Taiwan independence’ China and the’supporting Taiwan’ US Congress. , Which is acceptable to China.”
The United States is worried that Beijing’s Taiwan strategy may disrupt the balance of the Taiwan Strait and encourage Chinese leaders to make extreme moves. “So the United States is also drawing lines for Beijing and cannot change the status quo,” Ma Zhao said.
U.S. goals and expectations
A senior White House official stated before the meeting that the United States has several goals for this meeting:
- Ensure that competition does not lead to conflict
- Keep communication channels open
- Establish a reasonable “guardrail” to avoid misunderstandings
- Enforce the rules of the road
The official also said that the United States will express “direct and frank concern” about China’s actions in human rights, Taiwan, economic coercion, and network technology; it will also explore areas where both sides have potential common interests.
Unlike previous administrations, “The Biden administration does not try to change China,” but “try to shape the international environment in a way that benefits the United States and our allies,” the official said.
The official also said that do not expect the meeting to produce substantive results. “There will be no major policy announcements or changes.”
The outside world predicts that the Taiwan issue will definitely be on the discussion agenda of this meeting. Sullivan said in an exclusive interview with CNN before the leaders’ meeting, “Fundamentally speaking, what we are seeking is to maintain peace and stability, that is, to maintain the status quo,” he said.
Image source,Reuters
Regarding the areas involved in this dialogue, Biden focused on human rights, the economy, and ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Other meeting highlights
According to the Xinhua News Agency, China’s official media, Xi Jinping pointed out that in the new era, China and the United States should adhere to three principles: one is mutual respect, the other is peaceful coexistence, and the third is cooperation and win-win.
He pointed out that “non-conflict, non-confrontation is the bottom line that both sides must adhere to.”
Xi Jinping also made it clear that he is willing to maintain contact with President Biden through various means.
Regarding China-US economic and trade relations, Xi Jinping said that China has agreed to implement an upgraded version of the “fast track.” At the same time, it urged the US to “stop abusing and generalizing the concept of national security to suppress Chinese companies.” However, he did not point out the specific details of this passage.
Regarding public health security, Xi Jinping said that the top priority in the global fight against the epidemic is to break the vaccine deficit and eliminate the “vaccine gap.” He promised “will consider the needs of developing countries and increase new donations.”
He said, “I am concerned about China’s practices in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong, as well as broader human rights issues.”
Biden also made it clear that it is necessary to protect American workers and industries from China’s unfair trade and economic practices. He also discussed the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and conveyed the determination of the United States to continue its commitment.