Diplomatic Dynamics: Joe Biden And Xi Jinping Take the Stage at APEC Summit Amidst Key Talks Between U.S. And China

Xi Jinping and Joe Biden in 2020. Source: Wikimedia Commons, Photo by U.S. Department of State

The APEC Summit

In a landmark and highly significant development in the diplomatic arena, President Joe Biden and Xi Jinping assumed pivotal roles at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit held on November 16. The choice of San Francisco as the Host City for the APEC Leaders’ Week 2023 adds an extra layer of importance to this gathering of global leaders. The overarching theme for this year's summit, "Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All," reflects a commitment to addressing pressing issues on a global scale. Against the backdrop of the iconic cityscape of San Francisco, President Biden and Xi Jinping delivered compelling remarks that not only underscored the urgency of collaborative international efforts but also set the tone for discussions on fostering resilience and sustainability across diverse sectors. The selection of San Francisco as the summit's host city enhances the symbolic significance of the event, emphasizing the importance of collective action in shaping a more secure and sustainable future for the entire Asia-Pacific region.

APEC stands for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. It is a regional intergovernmental forum that promotes economic cooperation and trade among its member economies. APEC's primary goal is to create greater prosperity for the people of the region by facilitating economic growth, trade, and investment. The member economies include countries from the Asia-Pacific region, such as the United States, China, Japan, Australia, and others. APEC provides a platform for dialogue and collaboration on economic issues, aiming to enhance regional economic integration and sustainable development.

The summit, followed a significant meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping yesterday, marked a notable break in a yearlong silence, characterized by escalating tensions between the two nations.

Diplomatic Drawbacks

At a solo news conference post-meeting, Biden's acknowledgment of Xi as a dictator stirred controversy, drawing criticism from China's foreign ministry. "Look, he is. He's a dictator in the sense that he's a guy who runs a country that is a communist country that's based on a form of government totally different than ours," Biden said. In response, China's foreign ministry said it "strongly opposes" the remarks, without mentioning Biden by name. Xi Jinping has served as the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party since 2012.

China is characterized by a political system known as a single-party government, where the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) holds a dominant and exclusive role in governance. In this system, the CCP is the only legally permitted political party, and it exercises comprehensive control over the country's political, economic, and social spheres. The single-party government in China has been instrumental in shaping the nation's trajectory, fostering both economic development and social stability, albeit with ongoing discussions and debates regarding political pluralism and the role of alternative political ideologies in the country.

The delicate matter of Taiwan also looms large. While Biden urged Beijing to respect the self-ruling democracy's electoral process ahead of its presidential election, Chinese officials countered, emphasizing the need for the U.S. to support "China's peaceful reunification" with the island, which China claims as its own.

Source: Squarespace/Unsplash

Bilateral Progress

Amidst the complex discussions, Biden and Xi addressed pressing issues, notably focusing on curbing the flow of fentanyl precursors into the U.S. In a positive stride, China committed to reopening military communication lines, fostering a potential avenue for improved relations.

Fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid and is known for its application as both an analgesic (pain reliever) and anesthetic. With a potency approximately 100 times greater than morphine and 50 times greater than heroin in its analgesic effects, fentanyl plays a crucial role in medical settings where powerful pain relief and anesthesia are required.

Chinese President Xi Jinping also signaled that China will send new pandas to the United States, calling them “envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples.” This is especially notable since they were recently recalled back to China. The National Zoo’s three giant pandas, Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and their cub Xiao Qi Ji. began their long trip to China in early November of 2023, leaving behind an empty panda exhibit.

Conclusion

Against this backdrop of diplomatic intricacies, the summit provided a platform for crucial dialogues and negotiations, shaping the trajectory of international relations. President Biden's active participation in the APEC summit, coupled with the preceding talks with President Xi, underscores the gravity of the discussions and their potential impact on global dynamics. The summit not only served as a forum for addressing immediate concerns but also laid the groundwork for navigating the complexities of the U.S.-China relationship on the world stage.