Biden to Xi: Important to Ensure Competition Does not Veer into Conflict
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China's President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden hold a summit after tensions between the two countries greatly increased.
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Jinping and Biden greet one another at the beginning of the summit (Xinhua)
Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden met on Tuesday morning via video summit, in a first since Biden took office.
US-China tensions have recently been at an all-time high, with the summit being held in order to avoid any misunderstandings on several issues going forward, from Taiwan to "human rights" concerns.
While the US did not immediately comment on the summit following its conclusion, China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Hua Chunying, commented on the meeting in a series of tweets, describing it as "wide-ranging, in-depth, candid, constructive, substantive and productive. It helps increase mutual understanding."
Jinping discussed the issue of Taiwan, saying that the tensions go back to repeated attempts by Taiwan authorities to look for US support to achieve their agenda of independence, while some US officials are ready to use Taiwan in order to "contain" China. "Such moves are extremely dangerous," he warned, "just like playing with fire. Whoever plays with fire will get burnt."
Furthermore, he pressed ahead with the matter of achieving reunification, in accordance with the one-China policy, albeit in accordance with a peaceful agenda. However, "should 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."
That said, should 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.
— Hua Chunying 华春莹 (@SpokespersonCHN) November 16, 2021
Biden: US has concerns in Indo-Pacific and human rights
Biden began by saying that the responsibility of the US and China is to ensure that the competition "between our countries does not veer into conflict, whether intended or unintended. Just simple, straightforward competition."
He addressed several points of contention, including China's alleged human rights abuses, and China's support of its state-based industries. On the issue of human rights, Xi retorted that China opposes using human rights as a pretext to meddle in other countries' internal affairs.
US-China tensions have been at an all-time high following a number of flashpoints, notably Taiwan, especially after Biden said in October that the US would help Taiwan defend itself.
