President Joe Biden aims to improve the US-China relationship during his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, seeking to prevent further tensions and potential crises. The primary objective is to restore communication channels, especially in the military, to avoid misunderstandings that could lead to conflict. While officials don’t expect a long list of outcomes, Biden hopes to establish a “normal course” with China, emphasizing the importance of being able to communicate in times of crisis. The meeting comes after months of groundwork by US officials to reestablish diplomatic channels and manage the intense competition between the two nations.
The agenda includes discussions on military tensions around Taiwan, China’s disinformation campaigns, human rights issues, narcotics trafficking, China’s nuclear buildup, economic matters, and climate change cooperation. While major agreements are not anticipated, the focus is on preventing the relationship from escalating into conflict. The location of the summit was undisclosed for security reasons, and expectations are carefully managed to reflect the current state of US-China relations.
As Biden seeks to manage the complex relationship with China, the summit’s goal is to engage in face-to-face diplomacy to prevent competition from turning into conflict. While both countries remain in intense competition, the emphasis is on avoiding open confrontation and maintaining stability in the relationship.
The political backdrop for the meeting is acknowledged, with Republicans questioning Biden’s decision to meet with Xi. The administration is working on an agreement with China to crack down on the export of source chemicals used to make fentanyl, aiming to address domestic concerns and demonstrate progress to the American people.