Advertisement
Xi Jinping urges Joe Biden to put US policy on China back on track
- The two presidents hold their first face-to-face meeting, albeit virtually, since Biden entered the White House
- After what both sides call a candid exchange, Xi hints at ‘drastic measures’ over Taiwan, while US ‘opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo’
Reading Time:5 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
99+
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for Beijing and Washington to “find the right way to get along” in his first virtual summit with Joe Biden, urging his counterpart to return US policy on China to a rational track and saying their actions would be judged by history.
Statements released by both sides after the meeting – which lasted more than 3½ hours – described it as a candid exchange, with Beijing saying it had been effective in improving mutual understanding.
Xi said it was inevitable that the two nations would have differences, but both should take steps to manage and avoid intensifying them. To help achieve that, China was willing to engage in talks and cooperation with the United States on a wide range of matters covering economic development, energy, militaries, education, technology, cyberspace and environmental protection, he said.
“In the next 50 years, the most important thing in international relations is that China and the United States must find the right way to get along,” Xi was quoted as saying. “Anything done by a politician, whether merits or demerits, will be recorded by history.
“It is hoped that Mr President will give full play to his political leadership and push US policy towards China to return to a rational and pragmatic track.”
02:12
Xi-Biden summit previewed by White House press secretary Psaki
Xi-Biden summit previewed by White House press secretary Psaki
Xi also warned Washington about forging closer links with self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing views as part of its territory.
Advertisement