Agreement Finalized for Biden-Xi Summit, Though Specifics Remain Unclear, Source Confirms to AP

U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping have consented to convene on the periphery of the forthcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, as disclosed by an American official who is well-informed about the arrangements.

The preliminary accord for the bilateral summit was formulated as China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi engaged in discussions on Friday with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. This information comes from the aforementioned official, who was not permitted to publicly discuss the matter and thus chose to remain anonymous.

Although the basic framework for the meeting is established, various logistical elements such as the exact date and location have yet to be finalized, according to the official.

After the Friday consultations, the White House issued a statement saying that efforts are underway to arrange a direct meeting between Biden and Xi during the APEC event, which comprises 21 Pacific nations.

Earlier on the same day, President Biden had an hour-long discussion with Wang Yi in the White House’s Roosevelt Room. This session, attended by Blinken and Sullivan, is the most recent in a sequence of high-level interactions between the U.S. and China aimed at potentially stabilizing a relation that has become increasingly strained due to conflicts in Ukraine and Israel.

The White House declared that Biden stressed the necessity for both nations to responsibly manage competition and maintain transparent channels of communication. Biden also highlighted the imperative for the United States and China to collaboratively tackle global challenges.

John Kirby, the spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, characterized Biden’s discussion with Wang as a positive development and a valuable chance to sustain dialogue.

Beijing has not yet confirmed President Xi’s participation in the San Francisco APEC summit scheduled from November 11 to November 17.

During his ongoing three-day journey to Washington, Wang Yi has conducted meetings with senior U.S. functionaries, including his second meeting with Blinken on Friday morning.

Beijing stated post their first meeting that the dialogue was constructive, encompassing a detailed exchange of perspectives on bilateral relations and shared concerns. In its account, the U.S. State Department indicated that the two leaders covered “areas of divergence” and “potential zones of collaboration.”

U.S. officials have voiced disappointment regarding China’s support for Russia in its conflict with Ukraine and its muted stance on the Israeli-Hamas conflict. They have urged China to utilize its influence in fostering peace in these regions, especially considering its strong diplomatic ties with Iran, a principal supporter of Hamas.

Amid high tensions between the U.S. and China over topics ranging from technological exports to maritime disputes in the East and South China seas, the U.S. military disclosed footage of a close encounter involving a Chinese fighter jet and a U.S. B-52 bomber over the South China Sea, drawing attention to a pattern of escalating military interactions between the two nations.

Both countries have released contrasting videos of their naval vessels in close proximity, further exacerbating tensions and disputes over who is to be blamed for such precarious situations.

Wang’s visit to Washington also anticipates discussions around Taiwan, which Beijing considers a part of its national territory and has threatened to reclaim by force if necessary. Washington opposes such forceful actions, citing its own security pact with Taiwan.

The bilateral relationship between the United States and China has experienced a downward trajectory since 2018, beginning with the imposition of tariffs by the Trump administration and deteriorating further over a myriad of issues like human rights abuses, territorial disputes in the South China Sea, Taiwan, technological concerns, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The prospective Biden-Xi summit is seen as an opportunity to bring much-needed stability to U.S.-China relations, according to Yun Sun, director of the China Program at the Stimson Center, a Washington-based think tank.

The emphasis of this forthcoming summit, Sun notes, is not necessarily on improving relations but rather on stabilizing them, thereby offering the region and the global community a greater degree of certainty.

Contributions to this report were made by Big Big News journalist Chris Megerian.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Biden-Xi Summit

More about Biden-Xi Summit

• Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Official Website
• U.S. Department of State: U.S.-China Relations
• White House Statements and Releases
• China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Official Announcements
• Timeline of U.S.-China Relations: Past to Present
• Stimson Center: Analysis on U.S.-China Relations
• Conflict in Ukraine: Global Implications
• Maritime Disputes in the South China Sea