China hopes for better relations with the US and consensus at the G20 summit

A meeting between Chinese head of state and party leader Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden is scheduled for Monday, November 14, ahead of the G20 summit on the Indonesian island of Bali. A foreign ministry spokesman said in Beijing on Friday that China wants to develop ties based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation. “At the same time, we resolutely defend our legitimate rights and interests.”

It is important for the US to work with China to properly deal with differences and promote cooperation. Misunderstandings and miscalculations must be avoided and the relationship must be put “on the right path of healthy and stable development”, the spokesperson said. That is in the interest of both countries. “We hope that the US can cooperate with China and play its responsible role in maintaining peace and development.”

It is the first meeting between the two presidents since Biden took office nearly two years ago. Relations are at an all-time low. Topics of discussion include China’s support for Russian President Vladimir Putin in the war in Ukraine, the ongoing trade war, tensions over democratic Taiwan and China’s disputed territorial claims in the South China Sea. China accuses the US of trying to hinder its rise in the world. The US, in turn, increasingly sees China as an economic rival and a threat to its security.

China hopes for consensus at G20 summit

As for the G20 summit on Tuesday and Wednesday on the Indonesian island of Bali, China hopes for unity despite the major differences.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told the press in Beijing on Friday that global development faces challenges amid the pandemic, historical changes and the global economic downturn. As the leading forum for economic cooperation, the G20 Member States should strengthen their solidarity and cooperation and work towards strong, sustainable and balanced growth of the global economy.

“We hope all parties will work to build consensus and foster cooperation to promote global economic recovery,” the spokesperson said. However, Zhao Lijian did not say a word about the conflict with Russia over the invasion of Ukraine. The G20 includes 19 countries and the EU: Germany, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, France, Great Britain, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea , Turkey and the US.

Following the G20 meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday, Chinese leader Xi Jinping will also attend the next Asia-Pacific Economic Community (APEC) summit on Friday and Saturday in the Thai capital, Bangkok. The participation shows the great importance China attaches to economic cooperation in the region, the spokesman said. With the growing instability and uncertainty in the world, regional cooperation faces new challenges.

21 Pacific countries collaborate in the Apec Forum: USA, China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Peru, New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The meeting will be attended by US Vice President Kamala Harris. (sda/dpa/lst)