US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping recently held talks to repair strained ties between the two countries. Biden hailed the discussions as constructive and productive, highlighting agreements on military communications, combatting fentanyl, and opening a dialogue on artificial intelligence. China described the talks as a candid exchange of views and emphasized that one country’s success is an opportunity for the other. However, China also warned that the Taiwan issue remains sensitive. Biden emphasized the restoration of military-to-military contacts to prevent misunderstandings and accidents. The leaders of the two largest economies had not spoken for a year, and the meeting was seen as a step towards normalizing the relationship. Biden stated that he trusts Xi but will verify, and the US intends to compete with China responsibly. However, at the end of the press conference, Biden referred to Xi as a “dictator,” repeating earlier remarks that had sparked criticism from China. The summit took place in Woodside, California, and included discussions on foreign policy, the conflict between Israel and Hamas, and combating fentanyl. The agreement on fentanyl was seen as particularly important, as it aims to reduce its flow from China to the Western Hemisphere. The talks also focused on restoring military communications, which China had halted last year in protest of a US official’s visit to Taiwan. The two countries agreed to manage disagreements effectively and have more dialogues and consultations to avoid misunderstandings. They also agreed to a dialogue on artificial intelligence and increasing flights between the two countries. In addition, the US and China released a statement on cooperating on climate change. The meeting had lighter moments, with Biden and Xi sharing memories of their previous interactions.
Biden Condemns Xi as ‘Dictator’ Shortly After First Face-to-Face Meeting in Over a Year
