A ten minute video released by both sides, made public the pre-discussion by Presidents Biden and Xi. The Global Times version of the public meeting and the private meeting included the following. All are quotes from Global Times:
Xi hailed Biden as an old friend in the opening remarks, saying that he was very happy to see his old friend and it’s crucial for China and the US to work together in addressing common challenges.” (Biden also referred to Xi as an “old friend.")
Chinese observers said that the meeting will inject certainty into the bilateral ties and is sending a signal that the two countries will cooperate in many areas although they could not avoid fierce competition. They noted that the presidents’ efforts to try to manage competition is itself a positive sign for the world.
“As the world’s two largest economies and permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and the US need to increase communication and cooperation, each run their domestic affairs well and, at the same time, shoulder their share of international responsibilities, and work together to advance the noble cause of world peace and development,” Xi told Biden.
“China and the US should respect each other, coexist in peace, and pursue win-win cooperation,” he said, expressing his readiness to work with Biden to build consensus and take active steps to move China-US relations forward in a positive direction.
The Chinese President laid out three principles and four priority areas for the China-US relations. In terms of principles, the two countries firstly need to respect each other’s social systems and development paths, respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, and respect each other’s right to development.
They also need to treat each other as equals, keep differences under control, and seek common ground while reserving differences. The other two principles include peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. No conflict and no confrontation is a line that both sides must hold, the Chinese President said.
“The US side has suggested coexistence between China and the US. One more word can be added to make it peaceful coexistence,” Xi said. “The world is big enough for the two countries to develop individually and collectively. The right thing to do is to choose mutual benefit over zero-sum game or the I-win-you-lose approach.”
“The most important event in international relations in the coming 50 years will be for China and the US to find the right way to get along. History is a fair judge. What a statesman does, be it right or wrong, be it an accomplishment or a failure, will all be recorded by history. It is hoped that President Biden will demonstrate political leadership and steer US’ China policy back on the track of reason and pragmatism,” Xi said.
While Biden insisted that the US is not seeking a new cold war, Xi said he hopes that the US can meet its word of not seeking a “new Cold War” with concrete actions.
While Biden made three promises, including that the U.S. would not seek to change China’s system, that the revitalization of its alliances is not anti-China, and the U.S. has no intention to have a clash with China, Xi expressed hope for the US to fulfill its promises.
Xi said that the two countries need to manage differences and sensitive issues in a constructive way, to prevent China-U.S. relations from getting derailed or getting out of control, and to strengthen coordination and cooperation on major international and regional hotspot issues to provide more public good to the world.
On the Taiwan question, Xi said, “We have the patience and will strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with utmost sincerity and efforts. But if the separatist forces for `Taiwan independence’ provoke us, force our hands or even cross the red line, we will be compelled to take resolute measures.”
The US President reaffirmed the US government’s long-standing one-China policy, stated that the US does not support “Taiwan independence,” and expressed the hope for peace and stability to be maintained in the Taiwan Straits.
