Northern California Estate Hosts Critical Xi-Biden Summit

7

A pivotal meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to take place at Filoli, a historic and private Northern California estate. This one-on-one discussion is intended to foster improved ties between the world’s leading powers.

Filoli, nestled within the coastal range of Northern California, was originally constructed in 1917 as a private home before transitioning into a site managed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Located roughly 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of San Francisco, it coincides geographically with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ conference occurring this week in the city.

The choice of Filoli for the summit was revealed under anonymity by three high-ranking administration officials, given the security sensitivities involved.

Commenting on the location, Bonnie Glaser, the Indo-Pacific program’s managing director at the German Marshall Fund, highlighted its suitability for a confidential dialogue between Biden and Xi, separate from the APEC summit’s bustle.

The private setting of Filoli, boasting over 650 acres (2.6 square kilometers) that include a Georgian revival mansion and an English Renaissance garden, aims to facilitate a more personal and undisturbed discussion. The estate is temporarily closed to the public for holiday preparations, as indicated on its website.

Jeremi Suri, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin, emphasized the significance of such a venue in reducing external pressures and fostering mutual understanding and trust. He drew parallels to the historic meeting between former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev at a remote chateau in 1986, which notably strengthened their rapport.

The estate’s name, Filoli, derives from the initials of William Bowers Bourn II’s life philosophy: “Fight for a just cause. Love your Fellow Man. Live a Good Life.” Besides hosting private gatherings and weddings, Filoli has also served as a backdrop in popular media, such as Jennifer Lopez’s film “The Wedding Planner.”

This report includes contributions from AP journalists Didi Tang and Colleen Long in San Francisco, and Zeke Miller and Matthew Lee in Washington.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Biden-Xi Summit

More about Biden-Xi Summit

• Filoli Historic Estate
• US-China Diplomatic Relations
• Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
• Indo-Pacific Program, German Marshall Fund
• History of US-Soviet Summits
• National Trust for Historic Preservation