Jubilee Post News & Views
Special Desk
Since Joe Biden took over as US president he spoke to his counterpart in China Xi Jinping for the first time over a virtual meet that was said to be friendly but had warnings over Taiwan issue.
Chinese president is said to have used the virtual summit with US counterpart to warn that encouraging Taiwanese independence could bring tough measures. The talks are the most substantial since Biden took office in January.
Both sides emphasised the two men’s personal relationship. But they could not escape one of the most sensitive topics: the self-ruled island of Taiwan.
China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province to be reunified with the mainland one day. The US recognises and has formal ties with China. But it has also pledged to help Taiwan defend itself in the event of an attack.
Despite the strong words on Taiwan, the meeting began with both leaders greeting each other warmly, with Mr Xi saying he was happy to see his old friend. Biden said the two had always communicated with one another very honestly and candidly.
The world’s two most powerful nations do not see eye-to-eye on a number of issues, and Biden raised US concerns about human rights abuses in Hong Kong and against Uyghurs in the north-west region of Xinjiang. China accuses the US of meddling in its domestic affairs.
Climate change was also discussed. Last week the two sprung a surprise by issuing a joint declaration to address climate change, at talks in Glasgow, Scotland.
This was the third time the two leaders have spoken since Biden began his tenure. President Xi has not left China in nearly two years, since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. From his seat in a cavernous room inside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Xi was just as friendly.
“Although it’s not as good as a face-to-face meeting,” Xi said as the summit got underway, “I’m very happy to see my old friend.”
The affable greetings eventually turned more serious as Biden raised concerns about human rights, Chinese aggression toward Taiwan and trade issues. Officials said the three-and-a-half hour summit, which stretched longer than planned, allowed the two men ample opportunity to diverge from their prepared talking points.
