Xi-Biden meeting overshadowed by conflicts in Ukraine and Israel – and US stance on Taiwan

The much-anticipated meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden, which took place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, was overshadowed by ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, as well as the delicate issue of Taiwan.

The two leaders, who last met in person in Rome in July 2022, exchanged pleasantries and expressed their willingness to work together to manage the complex relationship between their two countries. However, it was clear that there were significant differences of opinion on a number of key issues.

On Ukraine, Xi reiterated China’s support for Russia’s “special military operation,” while Biden called for an immediate end to the war and warned of severe consequences if Russia were to use nuclear weapons.

On Israel, Xi expressed concern over the recent escalation of violence in Gaza, while Biden called for a ceasefire and a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Perhaps the most contentious issue of the meeting was the US stance on Taiwan. Xi reiterated China’s claim that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, while Biden reaffirmed the US commitment to the “One China” policy, but also emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Despite the differences of opinion, the two leaders agreed to continue dialogue and work together to avoid conflict. They also pledged to cooperate on a number of issues, including climate change, trade, and nuclear non-proliferation.

The Xi-Biden meeting was a much-needed opportunity for the two leaders to communicate directly and to try to build some common ground. However, it is clear that there is still a long way to go in repairing the relationship between the United States and China.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the meeting:

• The two leaders agreed to continue dialogue and work together to avoid conflict.
• They also pledged to cooperate on a number of issues, including climate change, trade, and nuclear non-proliferation.
• However, there are still significant differences of opinion on a number of key issues, such as Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.

It remains to be seen whether the Xi-Biden meeting will lead to any substantive progress in the relationship between the United States and China. However, the fact that the two leaders were able to meet face-to-face is a positive sign, and it is possible that this could lead to further dialogue and cooperation in the future.