President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping came together for what is considered their final meeting on Saturday during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum held in Lima, Peru. This summit marks the third face-to-face encounter between the two leaders, following their previous discussions in Bali, Indonesia, last year and San Francisco just last month.
During this two-hour dialogue, both leaders took stock of the current state of China-U.S. relations, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining the stability of ties between their nations. Biden expressed the importance of their relationship not just for the two countries, but for the world as a whole.
Xi emphasized the need for China and the U.S. to explore the right route for their coexistence. He noted, "Whoever takes charge of the U.S. China policy should respect lessons from the past," indicating the importance of learning from their shared history. The Chinese president added, "Only solidarity and cooperation can help humanity overcome current difficulties."
The discussions covered several pressing issues, including Taiwan, democracy, human rights, and economic relations, which Xi labeled as four non-negotiable 'red lines.' Xi reiterated China's stance on Taiwan, advocating for careful handling of the situation and emphasizing China's readiness to act to maintain its claim over the self-governing island. Taiwan is viewed by China as part of its territory, and any moves toward independence are regarded as crossing these red lines.
Meanwhile, both leaders also acknowledged recent positive developments since their last meeting, which include advancements in cooperation on counternarcotics, climate change, and artificial intelligence, among other collaborative efforts. Diao Daming, from Renmin University of China, highlighted Xi and Biden's consensus to strengthen macroeconomic policy coordination, deeming it as key to stabilizing relations.
Biden reacted to Xi’s points, stating, "We have experienced ups and downs over the past four years, but our discussions have always been candid and frank." He expressed optimism about finding common ground, reiteratively emphasizing the importance of communication to mitigate potential conflicts.
On the issue of nuclear weapons, both leaders concurred on the principle of maintaining human control over any such decisions, marking the first joint statement of its kind on this serious topic. The two leaders recognized the imperative for responsible developments concerning military AI and stressed the importance of safeguarding humanity against possible autonomous weapons decisions.
Despite the cordial atmosphere of the summit, both sides remain vigilant over the potential shifts impending as the U.S. gears up for Trump's return to the presidency, projected for January 20, 2025. Trump has made rhetorical pledges to impose high tariffs on Chinese goods and reshape the trade relationship, indicating brewing tensions under his administration.
The tone adopted by Xi seemed aimed more at the forthcoming Trump administration than at Biden, who is nearing the end of his term. Observers interpreted Xi's comments as efforts to convey to Trump the boundaries of acceptable conduct when addressing sensitive topics like Taiwan and the South China Sea. Xi cautioned against adopting confrontational tactics or promoting isolationist trade practices, cautioning against the “small yard, high fence” strategy employed by the current administration.
Returning to the negotiation table, analysts suggested Xi’s firm red lines signify China's refusal to make concessions, signaling their readiness to manage future U.S. relations under potentially more contentious leadership. Xi remarked pointedly, "A new Cold War should not be fought and cannot be won," laying down his vision for future U.S.-China engagement.
What’s notable about this summit is the delicate balancing act each leader is poised to perform. Such meetings impact not only domestic politics but also global perceptions and diplomatic conduct. While dialogue is encouraged, both nations face the challenge of reconciling their geopolitical strategies to navigate through existing and impending tensions, particularly with looming international crises.
Lastly, the summit also touched upon global issues beyond the bilateral relationship, including climate change, combating fentanyl trafficking, and seeking global stability amid international conflicts, particularly focusing on Russia’s military investments and North Korea’s developing threats.
The Biden-Xi summit concluded with mutual commitments to continued communication, alongside calls for cooperation to address shared challenges and mutual interests. This meeting holds significant weight, as it may shape the narrative of U.S.-China relations for the foreseeable future as they transition between leaderships, filled with uncertainty.
