Reuters and Kyodo News reporting – U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are preparing for potential bilateral talks in San Francisco on November 15, aligned with the APEC summit, aimed at stabilizing U.S.-China relations amid intense rivalry. (Also expect a flood of Chinese propaganda on this day and the following weeks)
The meeting, which would be their first in-person dialogue in a year, is part of ongoing efforts to address issues ranging from trade to regional security, and to prevent their competition from turning into conflict. Although Xi’s attendance has not been officially confirmed, the planned summit follows heightened diplomatic activity, including an upcoming meeting between U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and China’s He Lifeng. The United States seeks to present itself as a dynamic economic ally in the region, contrasting with China’s economic slowdown, and to showcase developments in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity. The talks may also explore cooperation on global initiatives such as climate change.
This is despite divergent stances on other international issues and Beijing’s delusional rhetoric about not needing the West, there are indications of both countries’ interest in improving ties and sustaining open dialogue, despite the challenges in arranging the summit and the backdrop of recent tensions, including the U.S. downing of a Chinese balloon and disagreements over hot-button issues.
