U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to resume high-level military communication and reached several key agreements including intergovernmental dialogues on AI, drug control, and climate action.
The summit marks the first bilateral meeting between the two leaders in a year.
Emphasizing the importance of the communication between the world’s two largest economies, Biden said that “We should pick up the phone and call one another and we’ll take the call. That’s important progress.”
The two leaders held bilateral talks at Filoli Estate in Woodside, California, on November 15, 2023. The meeting comes on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in San Francisco attended by 22 world leaders.
“We’re back to direct, open, clear, direct communications,” Biden said during a news conference following his four-hour summit with Xi. “Vital miscalculations on either side can cause real, real trouble with a country like China or any other major country.”
Chinese President Xi said that ”it is unrealistic for one side to remodel the other, and conflict and confrontation has terrible consequences for both sides.” He added that “The world at large is big enough for the two countries to succeed.”
Chinese state agency Xinhua also affirmed that the two leaders agreed to “resume high-level communication between the two militaries on the basis of equality and respect.” The two sides will also resume meetings between their defense ministries and maritime military security consultations, as well as initiate talks among leaders of theatre commands, according to a readout released by Xinhua.
Xi also agreed to mechanisms that would address potential military miscalculations and agreed to forums for the two sides to present their concerns.
Beijing severed military-to-military communications with Washington following the then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in August. Tensions escalated further when the U.S. shot down a Chinese spy balloon flying over North America in February this year. However, the two countries have gradually been restoring communications lately.
‘Constructive and productive’ meeting
Biden said the talks with Xi were “some of the most constructive and productive discussions we’ve had.” “We haven’t always agreed,” Biden said, but his talks with Xi are always “straightforward.”
When asked if he trusts Xi, the U.S. President said, “Trust but verify, as the old saying goes. That’s where I am,” describing the U.S.-China relationship as “competitive.”
“My responsibility is to make this rational and manageable so it doesn’t result in conflict… To find a place where we can come together and where we find mutual interest, and most importantly, in the interest of the American people. And that’s exactly what we’ll do,” Biden said during a press conference in the Bay Area on November 15.
Biden said that during the four-hour summit, both leaders reached agreements on:
- Curbing the flow of fentanyl
- Restoring military communication, and
- Collaborating on artificial intelligence (AI)
The U.S. President also appreciated China’s commitment to reducing precursor chemicals for fentanyl, highlighting its potential to “save lives.”
Biden further said that U.S. and China would talk more about artificial intelligence as well. “We’re going to get our experts together and discuss risk and safety issues,” he said.
Key takeaways
The meeting between U.S. and Chinese presidents during the Asian leaders’ summit aimed to address various global issues while navigating sensitive topics like Taiwan, military cooperation, drug control, and diplomatic relations between the two nations.
- Constructive Discussions: Biden and Xi met during an Asian leaders’ summit, having productive discussions, with Biden mentioning the importance of keeping communication lines open.
- Panda Diplomacy: Xi indicated China’s intention to send new pandas to the United States, aiming to strengthen friendly ties between the nations.
- Fentanyl and Drug Control: Xi agreed to assist in curbing the production of illicit fentanyl, a deadly drug component affecting the United States.
- Military Communications: Both leaders agreed to resume military-to-military communications, enhancing engagement between defense officials from both countries.
- Global Tensions: Biden urged Xi to use his influence to ease tensions in various global conflicts, including Iran’s involvement with Israel and Hamas and China’s support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
- Taiwan Issue: The leaders discussed Taiwan, with Biden reaffirming the ‘One China’ policy but emphasizing U.S. support for Taiwan’s defense against potential Chinese aggression. Xi denied plans to invade Taiwan but faced criticism for military build-up around the island. Xi also urged the U.S. to lift sanctions and change export control policies.