US President Joe Biden on Monday criticized China’s “coercive and increasingly aggressive actions” toward Taiwan and raised human rights concerns about Beijing’s conduct in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong.
The criticism came forward during Biden’s first personal meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, held in Indonesia, the White House said.
According to the Chinese government, discussion of the “Taiwan issue” was immediately blocked by President Xi, who warned Biden that it was the “first red line not to be crossed” in US-China relations.
The conversation between the two heads of state, which lasted about three hours, was aimed at “managing” differences between superpowers vying for global influence in the face of rising economic and security tensions.
Xi and Biden shook hands at a luxury ‘resort’ located in Indonesia, on the sidelines of their participation in the G20 summit (the 19 largest economies in the world plus the European Union).
“As leaders of both nations, we share a responsibility, in my view, to show that China and the United States can manage their differences, prevent competition from turning into conflict, and find ways to work together on pressing global issues that require our mutual support. “. cooperation,” Biden said at the opening of the meeting.
For his part, Xi urged Biden to “chart the right path” and “elevate the relationship” between China and the US.
Relations between the two countries have become more tense with each US administration, as economic, trade, human rights and security differences have been denounced.
As president, Biden has repeatedly criticized China for human rights abuses against the Uyghur people and other ethnic minorities, the crackdown on democracy activists in Hong Kong, aggressive trade practices, military provocations against Taiwan, and disagreements over Russia’s war against Ukraine.
According to the White House, Taiwan emerged, in today’s meeting, as one of the most contentious issues between Washington and Beijing.
During the two years of his presidency, Biden repeatedly asserted that the United States would defend the island in the event of a Beijing-led invasion.
The trip made last August by the leader of the US Congress, Nancy Pelosi, to Taiwan, resulted in retaliation from the People’s Republic of China, with military exercises and the launch of ballistic missiles in waters near Taiwan.
Even so, Joe Biden today reiterated his support for the ‘One China’ policy – that is, that Taiwan remains part of the country – and admitted that he does not see “an imminent attempt” by Beijing to invade Taiwan.
According to the White House, Joe Biden had a “frank” discussion with Xi Jinping over the main points of contention, with the US president admitting that the US “will continue to vigorously oppose competition from China” but acknowledged that it is necessary to “leave channels of communication open”.
In the conversation, a visit to China by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was arranged. Other difficult topics at the meeting included the war in Ukraine and North Korea’s provocations.
The US president also cited his “concern over North Korea’s provocative attitude,” warning that “all members of the international community should encourage” Pyongyang to “act responsibly.”
Biden criticized China’s economic practices as “harming workers and families in the United States and around the world,” the White House said.
The reference was made after the Biden administration blocked exports of advanced computer chips to China a few weeks ago, a “national security” move aimed at bolstering US competition against Beijing.
Xi’s government condemned the move, saying that “starting a trade war or technology war, building walls and barriers and applying pressure by cutting off supply chains is contrary to the principles of the market economy and undermines the rules of international trade.” .
White House and Chinese government officials spent weeks negotiating the details of the meeting, which was conducted with translators providing simultaneous interpretation.
The leaders talked sitting face to face at a table of more than three meters where there was only an elaborate floral arrangement, inside a windowless conference room.
Each leader was accompanied by nine aides, all wearing face masks and, in Xi’s case, an official newly promoted to leadership at the recent Congress.
Source: TSF
