U.S. President Biden and China’s Xi Jinping Hold Four-Hour Summit: Key Issues Discussed

San Francisco, November 16: U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping engaged in a four-hour summit on Wednesday, addressing a spectrum of issues from military conflicts to drug trafficking. The meeting took place at the Filoli estate, a country house and gardens south of San Francisco, ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

Key Issues Discussed:

Taiwan: The leaders had a “substantial” discussion in Taiwan, with President Xi emphasizing it as a significant and dangerous issue. While Xi mentioned no immediate military plans, he discussed potential conditions for the use of force. President Biden stressed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and urged respect for Taiwan’s electoral process.

Military Talks: Both leaders agreed to resume military contacts that China had severed after a visit by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan in August 2022. Biden requested the institutionalization of military-to-military dialogues, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will meet his Chinese counterpart in the future.

Leader-to-Leader Talks: President Biden and President Xi agreed to high-level communications, allowing direct phone calls for immediate communication.

Cooperation and Conciliation: Beijing emphasized the need for more cooperation, dialogue, and respect. China and the U.S. should set an example in areas such as trade, agriculture, climate change, and artificial intelligence.

Fentanyl: The leaders agreed to cooperate on addressing the source of the opioid fentanyl, a leading cause of drug overdoses in the U.S. China will target specific chemical companies producing fentanyl precursors.

Iran: Discussions included the Middle East crisis, with Biden urging China to engage with Iran and encourage it to avoid provocative actions. Chinese officials stated they had engaged in discussions with Iran on regional risks.

Artificial Intelligence: Both leaders acknowledged the risks associated with the use of artificial intelligence in military or nuclear operations. While focused on dangerous AI practices, no mutual declaration was made.

The summit aimed to address critical issues, foster cooperation, and establish direct lines of communication between the two superpowers.