From Le Figaro with AFP
Published yesterday at 8:52 p.m., updated yesterday at 11:12 p.m.
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The two leaders, who met this Wednesday in California, begin a meeting with the aim of stabilizing the very tense relationship between the two superpowers.
Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping began a highly anticipated meeting on Wednesday, November 15, at a country estate about forty kilometers from San Francisco, California, in the United States. The aim of this meeting is to stabilize the very tense relations between China and the United States in the face of an intense economic war.
The US president greeted his Chinese counterpart with a handshake as he exited the car and said: “It’s good to see you again.” “We must ensure that rivalry does not turn into conflict,” he also said. “Two great countries like the United States and China cannot turn their backs on each other,” said the Chinese president, whose remarks were translated into English, adding: “Conflict and confrontation have unbearable consequences for everyone.” “The planet is “big enough for our two countries to thrive,” he assured, as Washington and Beijing engage in merciless economic, technological, strategic and military competition. Joe Biden called for “joint efforts” to combat drug trafficking or deal with the rise of artificial intelligence.
Each of the two men wanted to remember that their relationship began long before the 80-year-old Democrat arrived in the White House. “Our meetings have always been open, direct and useful,” assured the American president, adding: “It is crucial that you and I understand each other clearly.” “I firmly believe in a bright future of bilateral relations,” said Xi Jinping . No joint statement is expected following the meeting, but Joe Biden is planning a press conference.
“Much more dialogue in the future”
Shortly before this meeting, the second face-to-face meeting since the 80-year-old Democrat was elected, the tone was supposed to be conciliatory. A White House spokesman, John Kirby, said he “hopes that (Wednesday’s meeting) will lead to much more communication and dialogue between American and Chinese officials in the future.”
However, Joe Biden will “make it clear (…) that we do not support Taiwan’s independence” and “that we do not want the status quo to change unilaterally and certainly not by force,” said John Kirby, confirming the deliberately ambiguous position of the United States. The spokesman also noted that in his conversation with Xi Jinping, the American president would mention “issues related to respect for human rights” in China, in particular the repression of the Uyghur Muslim minority. The United States also calls on China, an ally of Iran and Russia, not to exacerbate major international crises: the conflict between Israel and Hamas and the war in Ukraine. The White House finally wants to keep an eye on China’s technological and economic ambitions.
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