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President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet for more than three hours at a virtual summit Monday evening as the US administration seeks to engage in what it calls “intense competition” while avoiding serious conflicts with China.
Mr. Biden has spoken to Mr. Xi twice since he became president, but they have not met face-to-face this year. Management officials said the virtual meeting was intended to reassure both parties that misunderstandings and miscommunications would not lead to unwanted conflicts.
A senior US official told reporters on Sunday that the president will emphasize the need to “keep the lines of communication open” as the two countries face disagreements over issues such as their future. Taiwan, the militarization of the South China Sea and cybersecurity.
Mr. Biden has repeatedly suggested that it should be possible to avoid active military engagement with China, even as the United States is in fierce competition with Beijing and continues to confront the Chinese leadership on many important issues.
But the call, launched at Mr Biden’s request, reflects his administration’s deep concern that the chances of keeping the conflict at bay may be running low.
Members of Mr. Biden’s team were shielded as to what issues he plans to raise with Mr. Xi on Monday. Speaking on condition of anonymity to preview the meeting, the senior management official briefly outlined a few issues that might arise.
The official said Mr Biden plans to address several points of disagreement, including the following. China’s human rights violations, America’s commitment to defend Taiwan, China’s support of state-based industries and policies regarding cyber technologies.
There are also areas on the agenda where the interests of China and America seem aligned. efforts to combat global warming. But the administration official said that Mr. Biden would explain to Mr. Xi that trying to prevent climate change is not a “favor” for the United States, but rather China’s decision to act in its own interests.
It was unclear whether Mr. Xi intended to raise other issues such as the following. US tariffs on Chinese goods or recently US reaches deal to supply Australia with nuclear submarines. The senior official said that Mr. Biden does not plan to raise these issues unless Mr. Xi mentions them.
The official declined to say whether the two leaders would discuss the possibility of US representation in Congress. 2022 Winter OlympicsIt will be held in Beijing in February.
Biden administration officials said they believe the US-China relationship is in a new phase, more dynamic and complex than it has been in past years. However, when previous administrations have tried and failed to succeed on similar agendas, it remains unclear how Mr. Biden will attempt to achieve his goals.
President Barack Obama has attempted a similar balancing act with the Chinese, securing Mr Xi’s commitment to avoid militarizing the South China Sea, which is a threat to international travel in the region, and to reduce cyber conflicts between the two countries.
Since then, China has strengthened its military presence in the South China Sea and cyber conflicts have intensified.
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