U.S. President Joe Biden stated that his objective for the upcoming meeting with China’s Xi Jinping is to restore stable communication between the two countries after a challenging year.
Before leaving for San Francisco to meet Xi and attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, Biden emphasized the importance of returning to normal communication despite the significant differences between the two nations.
He explained that the goal is not to cut ties with China, but to improve the relationship. The relationship between the two countries has faced obstacles due to various issues over the past year.
Xi had left Beijing to travel to San Francisco on Tuesday according to Chinese state media.
In addition to the meeting with Xi, Biden aims to demonstrate America’s commitment to the Pacific region during the APEC summit. White House officials also acknowledged the importance of enhancing dialogue between the U.S. and China to reduce the risk of a regional conflict.
Biden is expected to present new initiatives at the summit to promote clean economy investments and development in the region. His economic vision for the Asia-Pacific will focus on driving sustainable economic growth and U.S. commitment to the region.
The U.S. aims to use APEC as a platform to solidify its economic presence in the region, despite tepid interest from some members on certain initiatives. The country has avoided pursuing new free trade agreements due to domestic concerns about job loss.
Biden met with Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in the days leading up to the summit, despite differences on the Israel-Hamas conflict. Biden reaffirmed his commitment to improve climate and other bilateral issues with Indonesia.
The White House is working to coordinate a joint declaration at the APEC summit, with the hope of securing consensus among leaders on various issues.
Close allies such as Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines are expected to be present at the APEC summit, with Biden intending to address China’s territorial claims affecting the Philippines and other neighboring countries. His strong economic performance back home will also shape discussions with China.
Overall, the meeting with Xi comes at a crucial time for both countries as they aim to navigate their complex relationship and address economic challenges.