Prez Xi Jinping meets US President Joe Biden: 7 key takeaways of US-China Summit
US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a US-China Summit on Wednesday, November 15, 2023.
California: US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a US-China Summit on November 15, 2023. The two leaders discussed a range of global and bilateral issues, including Taiwan, Iran and military communications.
Here are 7 key takeaways from the summit:
- Middle East: Joe Biden emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the Middle East. The two leaders discussed the complex roles of the US and China in this region.
- Taiwan: Taiwan was a major topic of discussion. Xi Jinping described it as crucial in US-China relations. He urged the US to respect its commitments regarding Taiwan’s independence. Xi favoured peaceful reunification but did not rule out the use of force. Biden stressed the US’s commitment to regional peace.
- Taiwan elections: With Taiwan’s January elections approaching, Biden asked China to respect the island’s democratic process. Despite China’s military presence near Taiwan, there seemed no immediate invasion threat.
- Iran: Biden sought China’s help to de-escalate tensions with Iran. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi confirmed talks with Iran were ongoing. Joe Biden made it clear that Hamas issues are separate from broader Palestinian concerns.
- Fentanyl production: A key discussion was on fentanyl production. China pledged to target related companies. The US plans to monitor these efforts.
- Military communications: The summit led to a key agreement: restoring military-to-military communications. This steps is crucial as it helps lower the risk of misunderstandings. It also aids in managing tensions between the two military forces.
- Positive conclusion: Despite not achieving a joint statement or formal cooperation declaration, the summit ended on a positive note. Biden expressed optimism about the “real progress” made in the talks. He highlighted the importance of this engagement between the world’s leading powers amid increasing global tensions.
Ms Kalinga