The much-anticipated meeting between US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping is underway at the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit in San Francisco. Amidst tensions and a turbulent year for US-China relations, the world is watching and hoping for a detente between the two global powers. The question on everyone’s mind is whether this summit can stabilize the relationship.
The state of affairs between the US and China has been strained, with communication and trust reaching an all-time low. The tension escalated further last year when a Chinese balloon entered American airspace and was shot down, triggering a crisis between the two countries. However, there is optimism that this meeting could mark a turning point and set the stage for improved relations.
The summit comes at a critical time in the global political and economic landscape. The US is grappling with major conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, both of which pose substantial threats to its interests and stability in these crucial regions. The war in Ukraine, where China maintains a close alliance with Russia, has reached a stalemate with no clear resolution in sight. In the Middle East, the US faces growing criticism for its support of Israel, while concerns loom over the possible expansion of the conflict to endanger American troops and interests in the area. These pressing issues are likely to feature prominently on the summit’s agenda.
However, the primary focus of the meeting will be on the Asia-Pacific region, particularly Taiwan and the future trajectory of Sino-American relations. While a breakthrough is not expected, experts believe that measured progress can be made on critical issues. Council on Foreign Relations President Michael Froman has cautioned against expecting significant resolutions or grand bargains but believes that modest progress can be achieved by initiating processes that can move things forward.
In the lead-up to the summit, US officials have gone to great lengths to reassure China that they do not seek to decouple from Beijing but instead aim for a healthy and stable relationship. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, emphasizing the significance of the US-China relationship, stated that the path it takes will shape opportunities and challenges not just for both countries, but for the world. She stressed the importance of fair treatment for American workers and firms in the economic relationship.
The concerns from the Chinese side also remain. They seek reassurances that the US does not intend to change China’s system, instigate a new cold war, support Taiwan independence, or pursue decoupling from China. Both nations have their anxieties about the relationship, emphasizing the need for open dialogue and understanding.
Despite the challenges and strained ties of the past year, there have been some positive developments. Just this month, the US and China held a rare meeting in Washington to discuss arms control and nonproliferation, described as constructive by the State Department. This meeting is significant in light of the deteriorating arms control regime established by the US and Russia during the Cold War. China, outside this structure due to its limited nuclear arsenal compared to the US and Russia, has thus far been hesitant to engage in meaningful arms control dialogue. However, Beijing’s acceptance of the start of negotiations on strategic stability and arms control with the US is seen as a positive step towards managing competition and ensuring global security.
President Biden faces the challenge of effectively balancing the expectations and concerns of two critical constituencies. As the next election looms, he must demonstrate to his domestic audience and allies in the Asia-Pacific region that he is firm on China while simultaneously assuring Beijing of the US’s commitment to stabilizing the relationship. The support of Congress is crucial in this delicate balancing act, as it has historically complicated the US-China relationship through legislative actions and political positions that have irked Beijing. The Biden administration hopes that this summit will pave the way for constructive engagement, establish open lines of communication, and restore trust between the two nations. This, in turn, would facilitate progress on major geopolitical issues and provide businesses with confidence in the future of the US-China relationship.
In conclusion, as the US-China summit unfolds in San Francisco, the international community eagerly looks on, hoping for a positive outcome and a chance to stabilize the relationship between these global powers. While major breakthroughs may not be expected, the focus lies on initiating processes that can bring about measured progress. With a strategic and balanced approach, the US and China have an opportunity to mitigate tensions, foster understanding, and set the stage for cooperative engagement to address critical challenges on the world stage.
