Sun Nov 17 17:56:33 UTC 2024: ## Biden and Xi Hold Final Talks Amidst Rising US-China Tensions
**Lima, Peru** – Outgoing US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a two-hour meeting on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Lima, Peru, their first talks in seven months. The meeting, which focused on a range of contentious issues, took place as the world anticipates the return of Donald Trump to the White House and the potential for heightened US-China conflict.
Despite the looming change in US leadership, President Xi reiterated China’s commitment to a stable relationship with the US, expressing willingness to cooperate with the incoming Trump administration. However, the meeting revealed few significant breakthroughs on major points of contention.
President Biden raised concerns about several key issues, including:
* **Cybersecurity:** A recent hack of US government and campaign officials’ communications, allegedly linked to China. China denied any involvement.
* **Taiwan:** Biden urged an end to China’s destabilizing military activities around Taiwan, while Xi blamed Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s actions for undermining regional peace. Taiwan’s government countered that China is the source of instability.
* **South China Sea:** Biden addressed China’s assertive actions in the South China Sea, rejecting Beijing’s claims.
* **Russia:** Biden pressed Xi to use China’s influence to prevent further escalation of the war in Ukraine, particularly regarding North Korea’s deployment of troops to support Russia. China’s publicly stated position opposes escalation, but Biden highlighted the contradiction.
* **Trade:** The looming threat of significant tariffs on Chinese goods under a Trump administration fueled concerns about trade relations. Biden also mentioned restrictions on US investment in sensitive Chinese technologies.
* **Human Rights:** Biden also raised the issue of Americans detained in China.
One area of agreement was the shared view that humans, not AI, should control nuclear weapons, a significant point of common ground amidst the broader tensions.
While President Xi emphasized the importance of a cooperative relationship, the Trump administration’s announced policies, including significant tariffs and the appointment of hawkish officials, cast a shadow over the prospects for smoother relations in the near future. Experts, like Shanghai-based international relations scholar Shen Dingli, believe China seeks to de-escalate tensions before Trump’s inauguration, hoping to avoid immediate turmoil.
The meeting highlights the complex and challenging relationship between the US and China, with significant implications for global stability and the Asia-Pacific region. The APEC summit itself has underscored the growing influence of China in the region, exemplified by Xi’s diplomatic tour of Latin America, including a newly revised trade deal with Peru and a state visit to Brazil. US officials, meanwhile, remain wary of China’s growing economic and potential military presence in the region.
First Piper 