White House hoping Biden-Xi meeting brings progress on military communications, fentanyl fight

The upcoming summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping is fostering optimism among U.S. officials for progress in reestablishing military communications and joint efforts against illicit fentanyl trafficking. This important meeting is scheduled to occur on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, highlighting the event’s focus on enhancing trade, investment, and economic development across Pacific nations.

Notably, this will be the first encounter between Biden and Xi in a year, their last meeting having taken place at the G20 summit in Indonesia. Since then, U.S.-China relations have experienced heightened tension, exacerbated by events such as the downing of a Chinese spy balloon over the U.S.

The significance of this meeting is underscored by the fact that the U.S. and China collectively account for about 40% of the world’s production of goods and services, marking the profound global impact of their relationship.

Expectations for the Biden-Xi dialogue are cautiously set, with U.S. officials hoping for a return to regular communication as a key outcome. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan anticipates constructive discussions, highlighting Biden’s direct and straightforward conversational style with Xi and the importance of face-to-face diplomacy in navigating this complex relationship.

A major goal of this summit is the revival of communication channels between U.S. and Chinese military leaders, which have significantly deteriorated, especially since the onset of the pandemic. The decline in military contacts coincides with an increase in unsafe interactions between the nations’ ships and aircraft. The U.S. deems these military relations vital for preventing misunderstandings and maintaining peace in the Indo-Pacific region, especially in light of China’s aggressive military actions in the South China Sea.

Additionally, Sullivan noted overlapping interests in combating the trafficking of fentanyl, a potent opioid responsible for a significant number of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. The primary sources of fentanyl entering the U.S. are Mexico and China, with China being a major supplier of the precursor chemicals.

Furthermore, Biden intends to discuss China’s ties with Iran and Taiwan. He aims to encourage China to leverage its influence over Iran to prevent escalatory actions that could destabilize the Middle East. With respect to Taiwan, Biden is expected to advocate for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and to convey U.S. perspectives on Taiwan’s role in the Indo-Pacific.

Preparations for the APEC summit are visible in San Francisco, with heightened security measures and increased patrols by the San Francisco Police Department, particularly in areas hosting summit events and dignitaries.

The report was contributed to by Big Big News Writers Janie Har in San Francisco, and Lolita C. Baldor and Didi Tang in Washington.

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More about Biden-Xi Summit

• Biden-Xi Meeting at APEC Summit
• U.S.-China Relations and Global Impact
• Fentanyl Trafficking and International Cooperation
• Security Measures for APEC Summit in San Francisco