Monday, President Joe Biden sat down with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Bali for a discussion that, according to his aides, may at least establish a ‘floor’ for the tense relationship between the two global giants.
The two influential leaders exchanged handshakes inside a fancy hotel in Bali. As they greeted, the men smiled for the cameras.
“It’s great to see you,” Biden said to Xi.
U.S. officials stated on Monday that they believe China’s anxiety and embarrassment regarding Russia’s war in Ukraine and Vladimir Putin’s rhetoric regarding nuclear weapons is growing.
They chatted immediately before Joe Biden’s first meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, as president.
Biden will be particularly interested in Xi’s perspective on Beijing’s ties with Moscow after the invasion of Ukraine.
The authorities provided a summary of the conversations held at a summit of southeast Asian leaders in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, which was attended by the Chinese premier, the second most influential figure in Beijing.
On a conference call with reporters, an official stated, ‘Premier Li Keqiang spoke at length about China’s position towards Ukraine, emphasizing sovereignty, the responsibility of nuclear threats, and the need to guarantee that nuclear weapons are not utilized as some have urged.’
Premier Li Keqiang of China, the second most influential individual in Beijing, attended the ASEAN summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. According to a U.S. official, he spoke at length about Ukraine and the significance of sovereignty and restraint in nuclear discourse.
On Monday evening in Bali, President Joe Biden will meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in advance of the G20 summit on the Indonesian island.
On Monday, prior to the G20 summit in Bali, Vice President Biden met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo and joked that he never wanted to leave and was “staying on the beach.”
Putin has often warned that he may employ tactical nuclear weapons in order to defend his territory.
The official went on to claim that the U.S. delegation obtained additional information regarding Chinese dissatisfaction during the summit.
The officials stated, “I believe the messaging in the hallway was unambiguous, and certainly, there have been areas in which China and Russia have collaborated to strengthen and broaden their connection – economically, on energy, technologically, and in a variety of other areas.”
However, on some of these major issues. Regarding Russia’s reckless words and actions, I believe there is undeniable disquiet in Beijing.
I believe it is also evident that China’s reaction to the conduct of Russian military activities is a mixture of astonishment and embarrassment.
Li was in Phnom Penh, where he met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday, but the source of the message was not specified by the official.
Biden was greeted with a traditional Balinese welcome dance upon landing on the island, his third stop on a global foreign policy tour.
After months of fear that Beijing may respond positively to Moscow’s requests for weaponry, U.S. officials will see this as an opportunity to drive a wedge between China and Russia.
Biden is scheduled to meet Xi on Monday evening prior to the Group of 20 summit in Bali.
Earlier, during his meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, he presented a comfortable demeanor. He informed his host that he had no intention of leaving and would be “staying on the beach”
His attention is now on Xi and the most crucial point of his international journey.
The two have been acquainted since 2011, but today will be their first face-to-face meeting since Biden’s inauguration as vice president a year ago.
Officials and Biden himself have been careful to play down expectations, portraying the meeting as an opportunity to learn each other’s red flags.
It follows months of tensions over Taiwan and allegations that China steals American technology. The most recent crisis occurred one month ago, when the Biden administration tried to prohibit the export of advanced microchips to China.
Now, according to officials, Biden will want to know where Xi stands on China’s developing connection with Russia, its aspirations on Taiwan, and its willingness to rein in North Korea’s aggression.
A second person on the conversation stated that Biden wished to prevent the competition between the two nations from escalating uncontrollably.
Children display Ukrainian flags in the central square of the recently retaken city of Kherson.
Following the abandonment of Kherson by retreating Russian soldiers, locals observe two alleged collaborators bound by the hands to pillars throughout the city. Russia is accused of committing war crimes
American authorities opined that Russian actions in Ukraine caused Chinese officials anxiety and embarrassment.
The official explained, “He wants to ensure that competition is constrained, that we establish guardrails and have clear rules of the road, and that we do all of this so that competition does not veer into conflict.”
By the time Xi arrives at the summit, his position has been solidified by a recent party congress. Some of his possible challengers were sidelined, allowing him to win a second 10-year term.
It means that American officials will have the opportunity to meet his most closest allies.
The person stated, “We anticipate that President Xi will introduce him to some new faces who will play more significant roles in the future formulation and execution of Chinese policy.”
Biden also improved his position on Sunday, when the Democrats won their 50th Senate seat, extending their rule of the upper house by two years.
The outcome of the House remains uncertain, while the Republicans appear poised to win with a razor-thin majority.
Biden told reporters traveling with him in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, “I know I’m coming in stronger, but I didn’t need it.”
I have spent more time with Xi Jinping than any other world leader.
“I know him quite well. He recognizes me.
We have relatively few misunderstandings and simply need to determine where the red lines are.