On February 10th, U.S. President Joe Biden held his first high stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking a new chapter in the relationship between the two countries and the world.
The historic event took place via video link due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, Biden made it clear that while technology may be able to bridge the distance between two countries, there is still no substitute for a face-to-face discussion on the issues between them.
During the meeting, President Biden reaffirmed the U.S. support for a free and open Indo-Pacific and made clear that the U.S. would stand up for its interests and values when there is disagreement with China. He urged Xi to work with the U.S. in addressing the pandemic, economic recovery, climate change, and promoting equality and human rights, strongly emphasizing the need for closer cooperation and a level playing field in a way that benefits both countries.
Xi, on his part, spoke of the need to deepen mutual understanding, trust, and respect between both countries and acknowledged the importance of building a relationship that sees both sides work together towards constructive outcomes. In addition to this, he highlighted the desire of China to promote cross-border collaborations in infrastructure and promised to strive for economic development through inclusive and mutually beneficial cooperation.
The meeting concluded with both Presidents noting the importance of establishing a comprehensive high-level dialogue to manage disputes and strengthen the bilateral relationship. This is a positive step as it will lead to improved communications between both sides, which is essential in tackling the complex issues facing the two countries.
Nevertheless, as President Biden stated, there is no replacement for face-to-face meetings when it comes to building trust and establishing a meaningful dialogue, especially in an increasingly globalized world. It is therefore expected that future meetings between the two leaders will take place in person, as this presents an opportunity to build stronger bridges between the two countries and the world.