Biden: "Guidelines Needed Between Both Countries" Xi: "Strengthen Communication" (Summary)

First Virtual Summit Between US and China Leaders
Biden: "We Have a Responsibility to Avoid Conflict"
Xi Jinping: "Both Countries Must Cooperate for Win-Win"

U.S. President Joe Biden is having a video summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, both with bright expressions.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min, Beijing=Correspondent Jo Young-shin] U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping finally held their first summit meeting via video call. The meeting, which took place 10 months after the Biden administration took office, has raised expectations that it could be a starting point for easing U.S.-China tensions. However, given the significant differences in their positions, it is unlikely that bilateral relations will improve rapidly.

President Biden and President Xi met via video call around 7:45 p.m. Eastern Time on the 15th (8:45 a.m. China time) and began the summit by waving to each other.

The meeting started in a mild atmosphere rather than with sharp exchanges. President Biden, who spoke first, noted that it took a long time to hold the first summit and said, "The U.S. and China have a responsibility not to go into conflict. We have responsibilities not only to our peoples but also to the entire world. Issues common to humanity, such as climate change, require cooperation and common guardrails."

He also mentioned that the two leaders have always communicated honestly and openly and have been curious about each other's thoughts. He expressed gratitude for President Xi’s congratulatory phone call after his election victory. At the same time, President Biden indicated that discussions on human rights, the economy, and a free Indo-Pacific are necessary. He said he looks forward to candid conversations and that they need to discuss how to ensure competition between the two countries.

President Xi, who spoke next, expressed warmth by saying, "I am very pleased to see an old friend," addressing President Biden. He continued, "We face many challenges. China and the U.S. must enhance communication and cooperation." President Xi emphasized, "China and the U.S. should respect each other, coexist peacefully, cooperate, and achieve win-win outcomes. That is what makes our peoples happy and meets the expectations of the international community."

The two leaders, who had a 90-minute phone call in September, continued their conversation for several hours on this day. Their first face-to-face meeting was expected at the G20 summit held in Rome at the end of last month, but since President Xi did not attend the meeting in person, they met via video call this time.

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