The White House confirmed today that President Joe Biden is set to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month in San Francisco. The meeting, scheduled for later this month, aims to address a host of pressing issues between the two nations.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre shared the news, highlighting that an agreement in principle had been reached for the meeting. Jean-Pierre emphasized the administration’s belief in managing international competition through “intense diplomacy.” She assured the public that the upcoming meeting would be constructive, stating, “It’s going to be a constructive meeting. The president’s looking forward to it.”
While details about the meeting remain scarce, Jean-Pierre reiterated the administration’s commitment to diplomacy. When pressed for more information, she confirmed the agreement in principle, although a White House official later clarified that the press secretary had been referring to the preliminary understanding.
“We are planning for a constructive meeting between the leaders, but still working together to put those plans into place,” the official stated, highlighting ongoing efforts to finalize logistical arrangements.
The meeting holds significant importance given the current global context. President Biden is expected to travel to San Francisco on November 14 to host representatives from the 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies for APEC Economic Leaders’ Week. This meeting coincides with major conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, underscoring the urgency for effective communication and collaboration between nations.
The White House, in its pursuit of reestablishing regular communication with Beijing after months of tension, is keen on addressing several key issues during the Biden-Xi meeting. Trade and the economy, as well as human rights concerns, are expected to feature prominently in the discussions. President Biden, who views face-to-face interactions with world leaders as vital to fostering improved relations, seeks to navigate these complex challenges through dialogue and negotiation.
This upcoming meeting follows a previous face-to-face encounter between President Biden and President Xi in November 2022 during a G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia. The three-hour talk marked a significant step toward improving the bilateral relationship, which had been strained by various issues. However, tensions between the two nations have resurfaced in recent times, notably concerning China’s spy balloon and restrictions on US investments in China.
As preparations for the meeting intensify, both nations are expected to engage in extensive discussions to address their differences and pave the way for enhanced collaboration on matters of global importance. The world watches with anticipation as the leaders of these two powerful nations prepare to engage in crucial talks that could shape the course of international relations in the coming year
