Xi-Biden meeting seen as putting relations back on course, even as issues remain unresolved

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The recent meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping has been perceived as a step towards stabilizing their relationship, even though it did not lead to the resolution of major geopolitical issues. This meeting took place in northern California and lasted for four hours, during which the leaders engaged in discussions, had lunch, and took a garden stroll, symbolizing their willingness to demonstrate that, while they are global competitors, they are not engaged in a winner-takes-all confrontation.

The world has been closely watching the developments in U.S.-China relations, which have been marred by issues such as trade disputes, investment concerns, U.S. support for Taiwan, and human rights violations in various regions controlled by China, including Tibet, Sichuan, and Hong Kong. Despite these unresolved issues, the meeting appears to have provided a foundation for rebuilding the relationship.

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the meeting’s positive impact, particularly emphasizing the U.S.’s commitment to a peaceful resolution in the Taiwan Strait, reinforcing the status quo. South Korea, on the other hand, watched the meeting with a mix of hope and skepticism, as it seeks to navigate its alliance with the U.S. and its significant trade partnership with China amidst North Korean nuclear threats.

The economic aspect of the U.S.-China relationship also came into focus, with South Korea’s heavy reliance on technology exports and the impact of the U.S. restrictions on chip technologies to China. The recent decision by the Biden administration to allow South Korean semiconductor companies to send chipmaking equipment to their Chinese facilities without special approvals was met with relief in Seoul.

Japanese officials are keen on arranging a meeting between Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and President Xi, with hopes of resolving issues related to Beijing’s ban on Japanese seafood and longstanding territorial disputes. Japan is looking to maintain a constructive relationship with China, despite these challenges.

China’s objectives in these talks include seeking the easing of trade restrictions on advanced technology from the U.S. to boost its economy. Additionally, China aims to portray itself as a global power on par with the United States, both to its domestic audience and the international community.

However, it is important to note that despite the positive developments in this meeting, fundamental differences on key issues, such as the South China Sea, Taiwan Strait security, China’s support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine, and its backing of the Palestinian cause, remain unchanged.

Overall, the resumption of dialogue and military-to-military contacts is seen as a meaningful step in preventing accidental confrontations between the U.S. and China. While there is hope for improved relations, it is acknowledged that the path forward may still face challenges, and the future of U.S.-China relations remains uncertain.

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More about U.S.-China Diplomacy

• U.S.-China relations
• Joe Biden and Xi Jinping meeting
• Trade disputes between the U.S. and China
• U.S. support for Taiwan
• Human rights issues in China
• South Korea’s concerns in U.S.-China relations
• Japan’s issues in its relationship with China
• China’s economic objectives
• Global impact of U.S.-China relations
• China’s portrayal as a global power