President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are expected to have a significant call in the coming weeks, marking their final direct communication before the U.S. presidential election in November 2024. The call is seen as crucial for maintaining stable U.S.-China relations amidst ongoing tensions.
Upcoming Call Between Biden and Xi Jinping
President Joe Biden is set to speak with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in the coming weeks, according to the White House. This will likely be the last direct communication between the two leaders before the U.S. presidential election in November 2024. The plans for the call were arranged during a series of meetings in Beijing between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
Climate and Security on the Agenda
The upcoming call is expected to cover various important topics, including the need for concrete steps to address the climate crisis. Biden’s senior adviser for international climate policy, John Podesta, is scheduled to visit Beijing soon to discuss climate finance, which is crucial for the success of the United Nations COP29 conference in November. Additionally, the call may touch on military communications and artificial intelligence dialogue, with both sides signaling a willingness for more high-level interactions to maintain stable relations.
Limited Progress on Key Issues
Despite the ongoing dialogue, Sullivan’s meetings with Wang Yi yielded limited progress on resolving key U.S.-China tensions. Issues such as the Taiwan Strait, China’s role in the U.S. opioid crisis, and Beijing’s actions in the South China Sea were discussed, but without substantial agreements. Beijing, in turn, pushed back against U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and criticized U.S. sanctions on Chinese entities.
Beijing’s Stance on Bilateral Relations
China has expressed a willingness to continue high-level communications with the U.S., aiming to maintain stable ties. This includes potential video calls between military commanders and further discussions on artificial intelligence. However, Beijing remains firm on its positions regarding Taiwan, sanctions, and territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
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