Joe Biden will meet Xi Jinping on Saturday afternoon in what is believed to be the last meeting between the two leaders before Donald Trump takes office as US president in January.
The two leaders, who met at a hotel on the sidelines of the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Conference in Peru, shook hands before each giving opening remarks on China-US relations.
According to Reuters, President Xi acknowledged the “ups and downs” between the two countries and said that “China's goal of stable, healthy and sustainable China-US relations has not changed” following the recent US presidential election.
“China stands ready to work with the new US administration to maintain communication, expand cooperation and address differences,” Xi added.
Biden last spoke with Xi a month ago in Woodside, California, and while the two leaders did not always see eye to eye, the meeting was “frank” and “candid,” according to Reuters. he told Mr. Xi.
“Transition is a uniquely consequential moment in geopolitics. This is a time when competitors and adversaries see opportunity,” said National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. said earlier this week.
Many had expected the two leaders to discuss stepping up China's efforts to prevent North Korea from expanding its role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In recent weeks, the Pentagon and NATO have confirmed that approximately 10,000 North Korean troops have been sent to support Russia's offensive in Ukraine.
Biden met with South Korean President Yun Seok-Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday and affirmed the alliance between the three countries. The three leaders agreed that “it is not in the interest of the Chinese government for this type of destabilizing cooperation to take place in the region,” a senior government official said. Briefing session In the background.
Trump's impending return to the White House has cast a pall over the conversation, as it remains unclear what his second term in office will mean for U.S.-China relations.
On the campaign trail, President Trump touted a hawkish approach to China, promising to raise tariffs to 60% on potentially $500 billion worth of Chinese imports. President Trump also promised to end Russia's war in Ukraine within “24 hours,” which he said would mean reducing the flow of military aid to Ukraine or causing Ukraine to lose territory to Russia. Some people are concerned. A general withdrawal from the conflict could give China room to emerge as a mediator and increase its presence on the world stage.
President Trump's shocking Cabinet nomination announcements include the appointment of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as Secretary of State and Republican Congressman Mike Walz as National Security Adviser. , both have expressed hawkish views on China.
Earlier this month, President Xi congratulated President Trump on his election victory in a statement and said the two countries must “live together in a new era.”
“Stable, healthy and sustainable China-US relations are in the common interests of both countries and consistent with the expectations of the international community,” Xi said.
But in prepared remarks at APEC earlier this week, Xi took a tougher stance. foreboding tonestated that the world had “entered a new period of turmoil and change,” and vaguely warned of the “spread of unilateralism and protectionism.”
Adding further uncertainty to relations between the two countries, U.S. officials have warned in recent weeks about FBI reports showing that the Chinese government has attempted to hack U.S. telecommunications networks in an attempt to steal information on U.S. government officials and politicians. He is nervous about the investigation. Officials announced last month that a China-linked operation targeted the phones of Mr. Trump, his running mate J.D. Vance, and staffers of Kamala Harris.
