President Joe Biden has expressed optimism for the future of U.S.-China relations following his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The two leaders met face-to-face and discussed a range of issues, including the resumption of military communication between their respective countries.
Following the meeting, President Biden addressed the nation, expressing his trust in President Xi’s commitment to address the production and flow of fentanyl, a synthetic drug responsible for a significant number of overdose deaths in the United States. In addition, the two leaders also agreed to maintain high-level communication between their countries’ military officials.
National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, John Kirby, emphasized the importance of Xi’s commitment to minimizing the export of fentanyl, noting its potential impact in reducing overdose deaths in the United States. However, experts and lawmakers remain cautiously optimistic about the outcome of the meeting, with concerns that the détente may be temporary and superficial given China’s broader ambitions.
During the meeting, President Xi addressed American CEOs at a dinner in San Francisco, where he expressed the possibility of sending more pandas to the U.S as a symbol of friendship between the two countries. This gesture is seen as part of China’s efforts to generate foreign investment and build confidence in its economy.
While several lawmakers praised the resumption of military communication between the U.S. and China, concerns over China’s aggressive behavior toward Taiwan and other U.S. allies in the region persist. President Biden emphasized the importance of preventing a military conflict with China and warned against interference in Taiwan’s upcoming election.
The resumption of military communication and efforts to address the flow of fentanyl between the U.S. and China are seen as positive steps, but concerns remain about China’s aggressive behavior in the region and its potential impact on global stability and the world’s economy. The U.S. Congress is expected to take additional steps to protect Taiwan from potential aggression from China.