US and China Seek Breakthrough in Conflict... Biden and Xi Jinping Agree at Summit Meeting

Xinhua News Agency of China Evaluates Swiss Talks as a 'Beneficial Meeting'
Summit Marks a Turning Point in Bilateral Relations but Raises Some Limited Concerns

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin, New York=Special Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Following the agreement between the United States and China on the 6th (local time) to hold a virtual summit within the year, cautious expectations are emerging that bilateral relations may improve.

On the 7th, the state-run Xinhua News Agency gave an unusually positive evaluation of the results of the meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, between a Chinese Politburo member in charge of foreign affairs and Jake Sullivan, U.S. National Security Advisor, describing it as "a constructive and beneficial occasion where frank and in-depth opinions were exchanged." This atmosphere is quite different from the verbal exchanges during the March Alaska meeting (2+2 meeting) between the two countries.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆Need for a Breakthrough in U.S.-China Conflict Raised = It is reported that the idea of the summit was first proposed by the U.S. side at the meeting venue. The Chinese side immediately accepted this proposal. This suggests that both countries feel the necessity to improve relations. President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping have had two phone calls in February and September. Despite the symbolic significance of these calls, bilateral relations have hardly improved.

The Biden administration categorizes its relationship with China into three aspects: 'cooperation,' 'competition,' and 'confrontation,' and has expressed willingness to cooperate on climate change and pandemic response, but no signs of collaboration have been observed. The Chinese leadership, meanwhile, maintains an aggressive stance, demanding that the U.S. stop interfering in its core interests.

However, considering the numerous issues requiring consultation and cooperation between the two countries?such as Afghanistan, the pandemic, climate change, trade, and inflation?it appears both sides recognize the need to improve relations.

In a statement released after the meeting, China said, "The two countries agreed to maintain regular dialogue and communication on major issues."

◆'G2' Summit as a Turning Point but Limited = There are forecasts within the U.S. that the summit between the sharply opposed U.S. and Chinese leaders will mark a turning point in bilateral relations. Immediately after the Zurich meeting, a senior U.S. official described it as "a frank and extensive discussion that was productive," calling it the most thorough discussion with China since the Biden administration took office.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, there is also analysis that the core agenda of the summit will be limited to trade and Taiwan issues. The senior U.S. official explained that Sullivan conveyed to the Chinese side during the meeting that the U.S. would support Taiwan's defense and oppose any actions aimed at changing the current situation.

Earlier, Katherine Tai, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), stated that she would engage in frank talks with China regarding the implementation of the Phase One U.S.-China trade agreement. This has been interpreted within the U.S. as signaling that trade will be one of the summit's agendas. ABC News also predicted that Taiwan and trade conflicts will be the core agenda items of the summit.

If the U.S. only places Taiwan and trade issues on the summit table, the likelihood of China easily agreeing to the agenda is very low. Without a clear change in the U.S. stance on China's core interests (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang Uyghur and Tibet, South China Sea), the summit is likely to end as an 'empty' meeting.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.