Xi Jinping's US Visit: Biden to Stress Taiwan Strait Peace at APEC Summit

By IndraStra Global News Team

Cover Image Attribute: Xi Jinping, the President of China, has landed at San Francisco International Airport to participate in the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Summit in San Francisco, California, U.S., on November 14, 2023. / Source: REUTERS/Brittany Hosea-Small

Chinese President Xi Jinping commenced his first trip to the United States in six years on Tuesday, following President Joe Biden's expressed intent to reestablish regular communication with Beijing. Additionally, Biden's top diplomat emphasized the importance of freedoms Washington claims Beijing is undermining in the Asia-Pacific region.
Xi's current visit marks his first to the U.S. since 2017. On Wednesday morning, he is scheduled to meet with Biden at an undisclosed location in the San Francisco Bay Area and subsequently participate in the annual summit of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.
In this highly anticipated meeting on the sidelines of the APEC summit, US President Joe Biden is set to underscore the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait when he engages with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The announcement came from US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who emphasized that the president aims to articulate a vision for maintaining peace across the strategically significant region.
Speaking on Monday, Sullivan stated, "The [US] president, broadly speaking, is going to set out a vision for peace and stability and the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait." Just before Taiwan's presidential election scheduled for January 13, the meeting timing adds a layer of significance to the discussions.
The meeting between Biden and Xi, their first since November of the previous year during the G20 meeting in Indonesia, has attracted considerable attention as tensions between Washington and Beijing remain heightened.
Sullivan acknowledged the complexity of the US-China relationship, describing it as both "complex" and "competitive," with the potential for conflict if not managed effectively. He stressed that effectively handling this complexity is the primary responsibility of Biden and his administration, and the president believes that face-to-face diplomacy between leaders is crucial in managing such intricate relationships.
Highlighting the ongoing need for dialogue, Sullivan indicated that Biden views the meeting as more than a singular event. Instead, establishing a foundation upon which the US and China can build future relations is considered a pivotal moment. Sullivan outlined the importance of avoiding escalation and managing competition to prevent conflicts.
Amidst broader discussions, Sullivan revealed that Taiwan would not be the sole focus. Critical issues such as the Russia-Ukraine war and efforts to combat the trade in fentanyl are also expected to be on the agenda.
Touching upon the military aspect of the relationship, Sullivan underscored the significance of maintaining military-to-military links between the US and China. He emphasized that diplomatic efforts are crucial to clearing up misperceptions and avoiding surprises. It was noted that Beijing cut off military conversations last year following a controversial visit to Taipei by then-US House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi.
In response to media inquiries, National Security Council Secretary-General Wellington Koo in Taipei disclosed that Taiwan is actively working to secure a one-on-one meeting between Biden and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) founder Morris Chang. This effort is seen as part of Taiwan's broader engagement strategy on the international stage.
While the White House has not yet responded to requests for comments on this specific matter, Sullivan reiterated that the US-China relationship is intricate and requires careful diplomacy. The meeting between Biden and Xi is anticipated to address multiple dimensions of the relationship, emphasizing dialogue and cooperation in navigating the complexities that define US-China ties.
With reporting by Reuters

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