U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a telephone name Thursday. Pictured right here is their digital assembly on Nov. 15, 2021.
Mandel Ngan | Afp | Getty Images
BEIJING — U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping ended a name Thursday with plans to prepare a face-to-face assembly for the primary time since Biden took workplace, a senior U.S. official mentioned throughout a briefing.
However, Xi caught to sturdy phrases on the Taiwan situation, whereas Biden mentioned the U.S. place has not modified, in accordance to official readouts from the U.S. and Chinese governments.
The readouts didn’t point out plans for an in-person assembly, however famous each side plan to preserve communication. The U.S. official was briefing reporters after the decision.
“There was an exchange at the end about … a conversation about a face-to-face meeting being worked out between the teams,” the official mentioned, in accordance to a White House transcript. “From my perspective, there was very much a clear, affirmative agenda that was put forward and agreed to.”
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
The two leaders’ newest dialog got here throughout a tense interval between their nations, significantly over latest rhetoric round Taiwan. Beijing considers the democratically self-ruled island as a part of its territory.
“That the call happened is a mild positive and shows both leaders want to maintain a floor under deteriorating bilateral ties,” Eurasia Group analysts mentioned in a be aware. “Any future cessation of top-level US-China dialogue would be a negative sign for global stability.”
Why tensions between China and Taiwan are on the rise
“Xi did not escalate China’s threats but he did appear to warn indirectly that Pelosi’s trip could inflame Chinese nationalism,” the report mentioned.
Beijing has warned “strong and resolute measures” if Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi visits Taiwan this summer time, because the Financial Times has reported, citing sources.
Don’t play with fireplace
During Thursday’s name, China’s chief maintained a agency line on the implications of assist for Taiwan’s independence.
“Resolutely safeguarding China’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity is the firm will of the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people,” Xi mentioned throughout the name, in accordance to an official English-language launch from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Those who play with fire will perish by it,” the assertion cited Xi as saying, in a piece about his feedback on China’s place on Taiwan. “It is hoped that the U.S. will be clear-eyed about this.”
The U.S. “one China policy” of the previous couple of many years has acknowledged Beijing as the only authorized authorities of China. The U.S. additionally maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan, with a coverage of constructing positive the island has the assets to defend itself.
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Biden mentioned throughout Thursday’s name with Xi that U.S. coverage on Taiwan has not modified, in accordance to official readouts from China and the White House.
Tensions between the U.S. and China escalated throughout the Trump administration, which put tariffs on billions of U.S. {dollars}’ value of products from China and banned U.S. companies from promoting provides to some Chinese tech corporations.
Biden’s administration has solid the bilateral relationship as one among strategic competitors.
Areas of cooperation
The name — which lasted about 2 hours and 20 minutes — mentioned areas of potential cooperation comparable to local weather change and well being safety, the U.S. official mentioned.
The Chinese readout famous Xi emphasised the necessity for each nations to talk on “coordinating macroeconomic policies,” stabilizing provide chains and defending the safety of worldwide power and meals.
Both leaders, who final spoke in March, additionally mentioned the Russia-Ukraine battle, the U.S. and Chinese governments mentioned. Beijing has refused to name Moscow’s assault on Ukraine an invasion.
There was by no means any likelihood the U.S. would violate its personal one-China coverage. Even a go to by Pelosi would not change that.
Scott Kennedy
Center for Strategic and International Studies
The name marked “a step forward in being able to discuss deeply sensitive matters in a workman-like [way],” mentioned Scott Kennedy, senior advisor and Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics on the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
“There was never any chance the U.S. would violate its own one-China policy,” Kennedy mentioned. “Even a visit by Pelosi wouldn’t change that.”
The two nations described the decision as “candid” and mentioned it was initiated by the U.S.
The Chinese readout famous Biden requested the decision. The White House mentioned the decision was a part of the Biden administration’s “efforts to maintain and deepen lines of communication between the United States and the [People’s Republic of China] and responsibly manage our differences and work together where our interests align.”
