Staff Reports
President Biden met with Chinese President Xi Jinping for what is sure to be a contentious and lengthy meeting, their first showdown since a sneaky Chinese spy balloon slipped into the country. This face-to-face encounter comes amidst a chaotic backdrop of ongoing conflicts and domestic challenges for both leaders. Despite this being only the second time Biden and Xi have met in person, it marks their seventh interaction overall. The last time they chatted face-to-face was at the Group of 20 leaders’ summit last year.
Biden and Xi meet for first time since spy balloon high drama https://t.co/PDBPqMdt4R
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) November 15, 2023
Notably, the meeting took place in San Francisco, with a side of inconvenience as protesters caused traffic chaos downtown. Before their formal sit-down at the Filoli estate in San Mateo County, the two leaders were expected to have a casual meet-and-greet. Following their tête-à-tête, President Biden planned to take the stage solo for a press conference on the estate grounds.
The White House teased some potential announcements to come out of the meeting, including topics such as military communication, the fentanyl crisis, artificial intelligence, nuclear arms control, and climate issues. The President’s national security team made it clear that beyond discussions about Taiwan and the South China Sea, Biden and Xi were also set to talk about Russia’s incursion into Ukraine and Israel’s fight against Hamas. There’s growing concern over China’s cozying up to Russia and Iran, making these discussions all the more crucial.
The White House’s national security team emphasized that Taiwan’s status would be a key point of conversation, as the President is expected to reiterate the U.S.’s commitment to its One China policy and opposition to Taiwan’s independence. The administration is keen on keeping tensions across the Taiwan Strait in check, without any drastic or forceful changes to the current situation.
As President Biden and President Xi Jinping delve into these high-stakes matters, the world watches with bated breath to see what unfolds from this consequential meeting.
