China Ready to Meet With Biden Amid Growing Tensions

As tensions are on the rise between the United States and China, President Biden could have a virtual meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping as soon as next week to discuss cooperation, though a date has not been scheduled, according to Fox News. 

As reported by CNBC, “’ Right now, China-U.S. relations are at a critical historical juncture. Both countries will gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. Cooperation is the only right choice,’ Xi wrote in a letter read aloud by Chinese ambassador Qin Gang at the New York-based National Committee on U.S.-China Relations’ annual gala.’ Xi continued, ‘Following the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, China stands ready to work with the United States to enhance exchanges and cooperation across the board.’”

President Biden spoke with Xi in September as part of his effort to “manage the competition” between the U.S. and China. Biden emphasized the United States’ “enduring interest in peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and the world and the two leaders discussed the responsibility of both nations to ensure competition does not veer into conflict,” according to a White House report of the conversation. 

This report comes as the relationship between the United States and China remains strained due to tensions with trade, coronavirus, allegations of genocide, and military build-up.

On Monday, CBS News reported images of U.S. ships being used for target practice by the People’s Liberation Army. “Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a daily briefing Monday that he had no information about the images, saying ‘I’m not aware of the situation you mentioned.’” 

This month, the Pentagon reported that China has been rapidly increasing its nuclear capabilities that appear “designed to enable Beijing to match or surpass U.S. global power by midcentury.” According to U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, “We are witnessing one of the largest shifts in global geostrategic power that the world has witnessed.”  

Additionally, China has been reportedly expanding its military flights near Taiwan, “a self-governing island republic claimed by Beijing and which it threatens to annex by force.” Taiwan receives weapons from the U.S. to defend itself against threats. While the U.S. Navy’s presence in the South China Sea remains dominant, China has been increasing the number of vessels in its navy and coast guard in the region. 

Since President Biden’s last meeting with President Xi Jinping, many more pressing issues have been placed on the table that are of serious concern regarding U.S.-China relations.