The recent Xi-Biden meeting in San Francisco has set the stage for potential diplomatic breakthroughs between China and the US. This meeting is considered to be the most important diplomatic event of the year, not just for these two countries, but for the entire world. The goal of the meeting was to establish a foundation for Sino-US relations that would prevent further deterioration and contribute to global peace and prosperity.
During the meeting, President Xi acknowledged the differences between China and the US in terms of history, culture, social systems, and development paths. However, he emphasized the importance of finding ways to coexist peacefully and collaborate based on mutual respect and win-win cooperation. President Xi also highlighted the grave problems in the global economy, including the slow recovery, threats to the industrial and supply chains, and the rise of protectionism.
President Biden, on the other hand, expressed his appreciation for the conversation with President Xi, emphasizing the need for clear understanding and effective communication between the two leaders. He emphasized the importance of avoiding conflicts and instead focusing on joint efforts to tackle global challenges such as climate change, counter-narcotics, and artificial intelligence.
The Chinese foreign ministry described the meeting as smooth, comprehensive, and in-depth. The two sides reached consensus in several key areas. These include upholding guiding principles for bilateral relations, promoting high-level dialogues and cooperation in various sectors such as trade, finance, and technology, enhancing people-to-people exchanges, strengthening global governance particularly in tackling climate change and emissions reduction, and restoring high-level military-to-military communications.
President Biden later commented that the meeting was productive and constructive, highlighting three specific agreements reached. These include cooperation in counter-narcotics efforts, the resumption of military-to-military communications to mitigate risks, and joint governance of artificial intelligence to address its potential dangers.
Although the meeting had positive outcomes, there were also areas where no agreement was reached. President Biden mentioned that there was no agreement on the Russia-Ukraine crisis, and there was no mention of rolling back tariffs or sanctions. However, the fact that the meeting took place and that the two leaders engaged in open dialogue is a significant achievement given the strained relations between the two countries in recent years.
The meeting symbolized a reset in Sino-US relations, as the two leaders met privately and shared a personal walk, showcasing a positive tone. While some observers remain cautious about the deep structural differences between China and the US, others see these major commitments by both leaders as a sign of progress.
President Xi also expressed encouragement for US business leaders to participate in China’s vast market, signaling potential economic opportunities. However, cautious optimism remains as business leaders wait to see concrete actions.
The importance of stable, strong, forward-looking, and mutually enhancing Sino-US relations for global peace and prosperity cannot be emphasized enough. Effective communication at multiple levels and in various sectors is vital. The highlight of the meeting was the agreement between Presidents Biden and Xi to have direct communication whenever needed, underscoring the significance of high-level engagement.
In conclusion, the Xi-Biden meeting has laid the foundation for potential diplomatic breakthroughs between China and the US. The consensus reached in crucial areas and the commitment to open communication is seen as a positive step towards stabilizing relations and promoting global peace and prosperity. While challenges and disagreements remain, the meeting represents a significant achievement given the recent state of tensions between the two countries.
