U.S. President Joe Biden met with China’s President Xi Jinping on Nov. 16 at the Chinese compound in Lima, Peru, on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. President Biden reassured Xi that the U.S. continued to adhere to the one-China principle and opposed Taiwan independence. The two agreed that there would be a “smooth transition” of the relationship to the next Administration. “China is ready to work with the new U.S. administration to maintain communication, expand cooperation and manage differences, so as to strive for a steady transition of the China-U.S. relationship for the benefit of the two peoples,” Xi was quoted by various media as saying.
President Xi said that he was opposed to any form of “decoupling” and expressed concern about the U.S. restrictions on the high-tech export restrictions imposed by the Biden Administration. “Only solidarity and cooperation can help humanity overcome current difficulties,” Xi said. “In an age of flourishing sci-tech revolution, neither decoupling nor supply chain disruption is a solution.”
Biden expressed concern about North Korean troops allegedly fighting on behalf of Russia in Ukraine and about China’s close relationship with Russia. President Xi stressed China’s continual attempt to achieve peace in Ukraine and underlined the importance of achieving a ceasefire and the beginning of peace negotiations. “China’s position and actions on the Ukrainian issue have always been clear and distinct,” Xi said, listing mediation, promotion of peace talks, efforts for peace, and hard work to cool the situation.
