Biden to meet with China’s Xi at G20 summit in Indonesia next week

Washington — President Biden will meet with Chinese language President Xi Jinping on Monday, Nov. 14, on the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, the White Home confirmed Thursday.

It will likely be their first in-person assembly between the 2 since Mr. Biden took workplace, though they’ve met nearly, and in individual a number of instances when Mr. Biden was vp.

A Biden-Xi assembly has been below dialogue by U.S. and Chinese language officers within the weeks main as much as the summit, because the U.S. goals to navigate the advanced and aggressive relationship with China and counter Beijing’s international affect. 

“The leaders will focus on efforts to keep up and deepen traces of communication between the USA and the [People’s Republic of China], responsibly handle competitors, and work collectively the place our pursuits align, particularly on transnational challenges that have an effect on the worldwide group,” White Home press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre mentioned in a press release. “The 2 leaders can even focus on a variety of regional and international points.”

Mr. Biden hinted at a dialog with Xi throughout a press convention Wednesday, saying he has informed Xi prior to now that he is “in search of competitors,” not “battle.”

“And so what I need to do with him after we discuss is lay out what every of our crimson traces are and perceive what he believes to be within the essential nationwide pursuits of China, what I do know to be the essential pursuits of the USA, and to find out whether or not or not they battle with each other,” Mr. Biden mentioned Wednesday. “And in the event that they do, how one can resolve it and how one can work it out.”

The president added that he was certain the 2 leaders will focus on Taiwan, in addition to China’s relationship with different international locations within the area. The 2 leaders spoke by telephone in July for greater than two hours as tensions over Taiwan reached a fever pitch.

The White Home does not count on any particular agreements to return out of subsequent week’s assembly. A senior administration official informed reporters the assembly is a chance for the 2 leaders to realize a greater understanding of the place the opposite stands and “construct a flooring for the connection.” Meaning ensuring there are “guidelines of the street” for the U.S.-China competitors, the official mentioned. 

“There’s not going be a joint assertion of any type right here,” mentioned the official, including the sit-down is not about “deliverables.” 

Mr. Biden has mentioned he believes its finest for the leaders of two international locations to take a seat down collectively in individual to hash out points, slightly than depend on lower-level officers. The president has famous that he has met with Xi maybe greater than another U.S. official. He typically recounts a vignette from one such assembly, during which Xi requested him to explain America in a single phrase. Mr. Biden says he responded: “Potentialities.” 

The president leaves Thursday night time for a three-part journey to Egypt, Cambodia and Indonesia, a grueling schedule simply after the conclusion of Tuesday’s midterm elections. First, he’ll cease in Egypt for the COP27 United Nations local weather change summit, then head to Cambodia this weekend for the annual U.S.-ASEAN summit and East Asia Summit. Lastly, he’ll journey to Bali for the G20 summit.