President Joe Biden finally sat down with President Xi Jinping in Bali on Monday for talks that his advisers said could at least “set the ground” for strained relations between the two world powers.
The two powerful leaders shook hands at a luxury hotel in Bali. The two men smiled for the cameras as they greeted each other.
“Nice to see you,” Biden said in greeting Xi.
The President then addressed a large room full of officials to open the event.
He said one goal is “to show that China and the United States can manage our differences.”
“History is the best textbook, so we should look at history as a mirror and let it guide the future,” Xi told him.
Both leaders were unmasked at the top of the meeting while top officials wore masks. The Chinese members wore masks bearing the nation’s red flag.
“We must find the right direction for the future bilateral relationship and improve the relationship,” Xi said.
American officials said Monday they believe China is increasingly concerned and embarrassed by Russia’s war in Ukraine and Vladimir Putin’s rhetoric about nuclear weapons.
They spoke to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping shortly before Joe Biden’s first meeting as President.
Beijing’s relationship with Moscow since the invasion of Ukraine will be one of the areas where Biden wants to get a handle on Xi’s thinking.
The officials provided an assessment of discussions at a summit of Southeast Asian leaders in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, attended by Chinese Premier, Beijing’s second most powerful figure.
“Premier Li Keqiang spoke at some length about China’s policy towards Ukraine, clearly insisting on sovereignty, responsibility for nuclear threats and the need to ensure nuclear weapons are not used in ways some have suggested,” an official said on a Briefing with reporters.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (left), the second most powerful figure in Beijing, attended the ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. A US official said he spoke at length about Ukraine and the importance of sovereignty and restraint in nuclear rhetoric
President Joe Biden will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Bali on Monday evening ahead of a G20 summit on the Indonesian island
Biden met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo ahead of the G20 summit in Bali on Monday and joked that he never wants to leave and is “staying on the beach.”
Putin has repeatedly warned that he could use tactical nuclear weapons to defend his territory.
The official went on to say that the US delegation at the summit picked up more details about China’s unease.
“I think the message down the hall was unmistakable, and yes, there were areas where China and Russia have worked together to deepen and broaden their ties — economic, energy, technological and a variety of other areas,” said the officials.
“But on some of these big issues. I think there is undoubtedly some uneasiness in Beijing about what we have seen in terms of ruthless rhetoric and activities on the part of Russia.
“I think there’s also no denying that China is probably both surprised and a bit embarrassed at the conduct of Russian military operations.”
The official did not describe the source of the message, but Li was in Phnom Penh where he met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday.
Biden was greeted with a traditional Balinese welcome dance when he landed on the island – his third stop on a global foreign policy foray
US officials will see an opportunity to drive a wedge between China and Russia after months of fears that Beijing might respond favorably to Moscow’s arms requests.
Biden is due to meet with Xi on Monday night ahead of the Group of 20 summit in Bali.
He previously cut a relaxed figure when meeting Indonesian President Joko Widodo. He told his host that he planned never to leave and would “stay on the beach.”
His focus now turns to Xi and the most important moment of his overseas trip.
The two have known each other since 2011, but this will be their first meeting in person since Biden took office last year.
Officials and Biden himself have struggled to downplay expectations and frame the meeting as a chance to understand each other’s red lines.
It comes after months of tensions over Taiwan and allegations that China is stealing American technology. The latest flash came last month when the Biden administration wanted to ban the sale of advanced microchips to China.
Now officials say Biden will want to understand how Xi feels about China’s growing relationship with Russia, its plans on the island of Taiwan and whether it is willing to do anything to stem North Korean aggression.
A second official said Biden wants to make sure competition between the two countries doesn’t spiral out of control.
Children wave Ukrainian flags in the main square of the recently retaken city of Kherson
Local residents look at two suspected collaborators handcuffed to pillars in Kherson after the city was abandoned by retreating Russian forces. Russia is accused of war crimes
American officials said they believe Chinese officials were troubled and embarrassed by Russian activities in Ukraine
“He wants to make sure that this competition is limited, that we develop guard rails, that we have clear rules of the road and that we do all of this to make sure the competition doesn’t deviate from the conflict,” the official said.
Xi arrives at the summit with his position solidified by a recent party convention. He is set to serve a second 10-year term and saw some of his potential rivals sidelined.
That means American officials will have a chance to see its most trusted allies up close.
“We believe that President Xi will read with him at tonight’s meeting some new faces who will play a more important role in the formulation and implementation of Chinese policy in the period ahead,” the official said.
Biden also strengthened his position Sunday as Democrats won their 50th Senate seat, giving them control of the upper house for another two years.
The fate of the House of Representatives remains in the balance, although Republicans appear on course to win it by a razor-thin majority.
“I know I’m coming in stronger,” Biden told reporters traveling with him in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, “but I didn’t need that.
“I know Xi Jinping, I’ve spent more time with him than any other world leader.
‘I know him well. He knows me.
“We have very little misunderstanding and just need to figure out where the red lines are.”