Chinese President Xi Jinping and outgoing United States President Joe Biden held a meeting on Saturday on the sidelines of the 31st Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima, Peru.

The presidents discussed a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues, with a focus on cooperation, competition, and managing areas of disagreement.

China's 4 red lines

One of the central topics of the meeting was President Xi Jinping's remarks regarding the four "red lines" in China-US relations.

The Chinese president explained that the following issues— the Taiwan question, democracy and human rights, China's path and system, and China's right to development—are fundamental to Beijing and that they should not be challenged or crossed. 

Xi explained that the One-China principle, as well as the three US-China joint communiques, remain the political foundation of their bilateral relationship while underscoring that these foundational principles must be respected. 

China's president acknowledged that differences between the two major powers are inevitable but emphasized that both sides should avoid undermining each other’s core interests. “

These remarks came in the context of the US's ongoing policies that have sought to challenge and undermine China’s stance on these core issues. Reports suggest that Biden addressed many of these sensitive topics during the meeting, contributing to a palpable tension in the room.

Read more: Xi calls on missile troops to boost deterrence and combat readiness

Bilateral cooperation, areas of engagement

The leaders also discussed bilateral relations, reviewing progress made since their last in-person meeting at the Woodside Summit in November 2023. Both leaders highlighted areas where cooperation had been advanced, including counternarcotics, military-to-military communication, and artificial intelligence (AI).

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On the issue of counternarcotics, President Biden praised China for taking action in the field, noting the scheduling of 55 dangerous synthetic drugs and precursor chemicals and the closure of online platforms that facilitate these activities.

The conversation also touched on military relations, with both leaders emphasizing the importance of continued high-level communication between their defense establishments. The resumption of US-China military-to-military communications, including the US-China Defense Policy Coordination Talks and the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement meetings, was welcomed.

Both sides underscored the necessity of these dialogues in reducing tensions and preventing misunderstandings that could lead to conflict.

Xi stressed that while the world is in the midst of a technological revolution, decoupling or disrupting global supply chains is not the solution. Instead, he argued, mutually beneficial cooperation is the path to shared prosperity and progress.

People not AI should control nuclear weapon

Artificial intelligence emerged as another key topic. Xi and Biden affirmed the need for international cooperation to manage AI risks. They both agreed on the importance of maintaining human control over decisions related to nuclear weapons.

Read more: US unveils national security plan to step up use of AI

Regional and Global Issues

Furthermore, the leaders exchanged views on several pressing global and regional challenges. President Biden condemned the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) military collaboration with Russia, which he described as a dangerous escalation in the ongoing war in Ukraine.

He also expressed concern about China’s continued support for Russia’s defense industry.

Biden also said that the US remains committed to upholding international law, particularly in the South China Sea, and emphasized the importance of freedom of navigation and peace and stability in the region. US Navy maneuvers in the region have significantly heightened tensions with China, fueling concerns over potential confrontations and escalating geopolitical instability. 

On Taiwan, President Biden reaffirmed the US One-China policy, guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the three US-China Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances. He reiterated that the US opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and that any differences should be resolved peacefully. Biden also called for an end to China’s destabilizing military activities around Taiwan, a point of significant concern for both sides. However, the Biden administration has made great efforts to undermine China's sovereignty over the island. 

Read more: China reasserts it 'firmly opposes' US military presence in Taiwan

Commitment to stable China-US Relations

Despite the challenges, both leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining open channels of communication to manage the competitive aspects of the relationship and prevent tensions from escalating. Xi underscored that major-country competition should not dominate the global order. He called for greater solidarity and cooperation between China and the US to address global challenges and promote international stability.

Xi stated that in an age of frequent conflicts, only solidarity and cooperation can help humanity overcome current difficulties.

Read more: China, US must 'get along', Xi tells Trump after election