Biden-Xi talks last several hours: US and China resume military communications

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After an hours-long meeting with China’s head of state Xi Jinping (70), US President Joe Biden (80) sees “important progress” in the relationship between the two superpowers. The conversations were among the most constructive and productive he had with Xi, Biden wrote on the online platform X on Wednesday (local time).

After a long period of radio silence, the US and China want to resume communication between the armed forces of both countries. Biden announced this after the meeting with Xi in Woodside, south of San Francisco. The move is “critical,” Biden said. Without communication, accidents and misunderstandings can occur.

According to the accompanying White House press, the intention is now that US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (70) will meet his Chinese counterpart. There should also be operational discussions between senior military leaders from both countries. The U.S. commander of the Pacific Air Forces will also participate, the report said. Skippers must also exchange ideas with each other.

Taiwan issue

Biden also urged maintaining “peace and stability” in Taiwan, according to the White House. Biden made clear at Wednesday’s meeting in San Francisco that the US had asked the Chinese to respect Taiwan’s electoral processes, a US government official said after the meeting, according to journalists traveling with him.

Biden later reiterated to reporters that the US would not back down from the one-China policy.

Xi reassures

According to the information, during the call with Biden, Chinese President Xi expressed continued concern and noted that the Taiwan issue is the largest and potentially most dangerous conflict in US-China relations. The US government representative quoted Xi as saying he continues to hear reports from the US that China is planning military action in Taiwan. But this is not the case.

The island republic of Taiwan, which is separated from China only by a strait, has had a democratic government for decades. However, China considers Taiwan, with its more than 23 million inhabitants, part of its territory. The area is often the scene of military demonstrations. There are concerns that China could invade Taiwan the way Russia invaded Ukraine.

Tense relationship

Biden and Xi met at a lavish estate south of the city of San Francisco on the Pacific coast. They were expected to discuss various controversial topics.

The relationship between the US and China has been very tense for a long time, including after the economic sanctions against Beijing and the political tensions surrounding Taiwan. Biden and Xi had not seen or spoken in person since the G20 summit in Bali in November 2022. (SDA)

Source: Blick