In a candid and constructive meeting on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima, Peru, Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden laid down bricks to strengthen the \"mansion\" of China-U.S. relations.
🏛️ Building the Mansion
President Xi likened the relationship between China and the U.S. to a mansion that both nations are building together. Over the past four years, despite the ups and downs, the two sides have kept the mansion standing by engaging in dialogue and cooperation. Xi emphasized the importance of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation as the dome of the mansion, while calling for both countries to add more \"building blocks\" to its structure.
🤝 Candid Conversations
The two leaders didn't shy away from tough topics. They addressed differences directly, focusing on how to manage them effectively during the U.S. government transition period. They revisited the seven key principles agreed upon in previous meetings, emphasizing treating each other with respect, maintaining open lines of communication, and responsibly managing competitive aspects of their relationship.
🌍 Global Responsibilities
Both presidents recognized their roles as major global players, with Xi stressing that China and the U.S. need to inject more certainty and positive energy into today's turbulent world. He highlighted that cooperation benefits both nations, while confrontation hurts everyone.
💬 Addressing Core Issues
President Xi made China's stance clear on several critical issues:
- Taiwan Question: He underscored that the one-China principle is the political foundation of China-U.S. relations and urged the U.S. to handle the Taiwan question with prudence.
- South China Sea: Xi reaffirmed China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, suggesting that dialogue is the best way to manage differences.
- Trade and Technology: He noted that decoupling or disrupting supply chains isn't the solution and called for fair treatment of China's right to development.
- Cybersecurity: Xi dismissed allegations of cyberattacks from China, stating there's no evidence supporting such claims and emphasizing China's opposition to all forms of cyberattacks.
🌐 Shared Understandings
The leaders acknowledged progress in areas like counter-narcotics, climate change, artificial intelligence, and people-to-people exchanges. They agreed on the need to manage AI risks, promote AI for good, and maintain human control over nuclear weapons decisions.
🚀 Looking Ahead
President Xi expressed readiness to work with President Biden and his successor to maintain stability in China-U.S. relations. With a focus on mutual respect and cooperation, both sides aim to benefit not just their own countries but the world at large.
Reference(s):
Chinese Foreign Ministry's overview of Xi-Biden meeting in Lima
cgtn.com
