US-China Relations: US President Meets His Chinese Counterpart

On November 14, 2022, in Bali, Indonesia, US President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and his counterpart Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) met for the first time since January 2021, when Biden assumed office as the President. On a variety of topics, the two leaders were open and honest about their differing goals and intents. According to Biden, the US will keep up the pressure on the PRC by, among other things, investing in domestic resources of strength and cooperating with allies and partners throughout the globe.

The two parties to the chat, which they both referred to as “candid,” met in Bali the day before the G-20 conference began. The two powerhouse presidents have not really spoken to one another during the epidemic.

According to an official English translation aired, Xi remarked in Mandarin at the beginning of the meeting “We need to chart the right course for the China-U.S. relationship.”

Over the past several years, tensions between the U.S. and China have increased, touching on a variety of hot-button issues. It includes Taiwan, the Ukraine conflict, and American corporations’ ability to supply high-end technology to Chinese businesses.

According to a readout from the White House, Biden stated that the U.S. and China can manage their differences and prevent competition from shifting into conflict. The readout also stated that the two leaders spoke: “candidly about their respective priorities and intentions across a range of issues.”

Also read: ∣ US-China Relations 2022: What You Need to Know

Asserting “U.S. objections to the PRC’s coercive and increasingly aggressive actions toward Taiwan, which undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the broader region and jeopardize global prosperity,” according to the White House readout, Biden said the U.S. “One China policy” had not changed.

Beijing claims Taiwan is a part of its territory and should not be allowed to manage international affairs. The United States maintains unofficial ties with Taiwan despite recognizing Beijing as the only legitimate government in China.

According to a statement from China’s Foreign Ministry, Xi stated during his discussion with Biden that the issue of Taiwan is at the “heart” of China’s interests and the “first red line” that cannot be crossed. He stressed Beijing’s dedication to maintaining peace along the Taiwan Strait.

Since the democratically self-governing island permitted the visit of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the highest-ranking American politician to visit Taiwan in 25 years, Taiwan has been under military and economic pressure from Beijing this year. Despite Beijing’s concerns, the visit occurred.

Biden has often stated that if Taiwan were attacked, the United States would protect it militarily, but the White House has always denied any change to its longstanding “one China policy.”

The confrontation between important nations must be avoided, according to Xi, who also stated that China will “continue to encourage peace talks” in relation to the “Ukraine situation.”

After Biden-Xi Meeting

The latest Biden-Xi meeting in Indonesia created red lines to prevent potential conflicts between China and the United States. Although there are ties between the two countries since 2021. It is a huge step in the right direction for the world’s most crucial bilateral relationship to be stabilized. The encounter could start to improve the relationship, according to Jessica Chen Weiss, the Michael J. Zak. He is a Professor of China and Asia-Pacific Studies at Cornell University. This is because it will pave the way for officials on both sides to reopen and widen channels of contact.

Long-term relations are still very challenging due to the fact that the two nations’ communication opportunities are steadily degrading the basis of their stable relations.

In 2011, communication between China and the United States was still regular and strong. Americans’ sentiments toward China tended to be more positive. Around half (51%) had a favorable impression and only 36% held a negative view. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and the trade war have both hampered China and US bilateral contacts.

According to the most recent Pew survey, the percentage of Americans who have a negative opinion of China rose dramatically after 2018. It reached a high of 82 percent in 2022. While the percentage of Americans who have a positive opinion of China fell to 16 percent. Additionally, two-thirds of American people believe that China’s strength and influence pose a serious threat to the US.

While the Chinese public’s opinion of the United States has decreased. It took place, especially among the younger generation. It happened as a result of deteriorating connections with Americans and increasing China-U.S. competition.
Over the past ten years, China and the United States have developed stronger ties but some unfounded worries about the intentions and policies of the Chinese government have started to gain traction in American culture. For instance, in order to keep federal funding, opponents persuaded colleges to close their Confucius Institutes.

A project which involves Confucius Institutes is not permitted to receive Department of Defense funds, according to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019. Federal agencies in the United States likewise rigorously scrutinize and even restrict financing to colleges that continue to work with Confucius Institutes.