Bloomberg November 16, 2021 1:04AM “Biden, Xi Seek Cooperation in Longer-Than-Expected Summit
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“U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke of the need for cooperation in their first face-to-face summit [Virtual], which went on longer than expected [>3 hours] even though they announced no major breakthroughs.”
Topics covered included; trade, “the status of Taiwan” and human rights. The tone was reportedly respectful and open…”focused on action to manage the long-term competition between the world’s biggest economies.”
Other than direct communication between the leaders no specific outcomes were planned beforehand and none were but China has committed to fast-tracking the ability for U.S. executives to enter China now that the COVID pandemic is more manageable.
The White House issued a statement after the meeting that noted issues raised by Biden “including human rights in Hong Kong and Xinjiang, China’s ‘unfair trade and economic practices’ and the U.S. commitment to Taiwan.”
Xi mentioned a desire to “‘return U.S. policy toward China back to a rational and pragmatic path’”...and that the planet can accommodate both countries and that we both should “‘not engage in winners and losers.’”
Regarding Taiwan, Xi remarked that China would protect “its own sovereignty”...etc. and repeated recent statements regarding the desire for a “peaceful reunification” of Taiwan but warned that “those playing with fire [regarding Taiwan] “‘would inevitably burn themselves.’”
Biden and Xi articulated a desire for ongoing communication and cooperation on many fronts including climate change. Biden reportedly consulted with “allies and partners before the meeting and continued coordination is expected afterward as well.”
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