Biden and Xi Summit Results in Deal to Curb Fentanyl and Improve Military Communication
The recent summit between US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in San Francisco has yielded significant progress on tackling the production of fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, and enhancing communication channels between their respective military leaders. President Biden described the four-hour meeting as the most productive discussions the two nations have had.
Although President Biden maintained his description of Xi as a dictator, he clarified that his use of the term stems from China’s communist form of government rather than a personal attack. The summit took place at a time when US-China relations are at a low point.
During the summit, both leaders agreed to maintain open lines of communication, enabling swift dialogue in case of concerns or regional events. US officials noted that President Xi emphasized Taiwan as the most potentially dangerous issue in the relationship between the two countries. While China expressed a preference for peaceful reunification with Taiwan, the US officials claimed that President Xi also mentioned conditions under which force could be used.
President Biden emphasized that the US’s longstanding one China policy regarding Taiwan remains unchanged. This policy acknowledges China’s claim that Taiwan is part of its territory but does not formally endorse it.
One of the key agreements reached during the summit deals with cooperation in combating the production and trafficking of illicit drugs globally, specifically targeting fentanyl. President Biden highlighted the urgency of the issue, revealing that more Americans aged 18 to 49 die from fentanyl than from guns, car accidents, or any other cause. While an agreement regarding fentanyl shipments from China had been previously reached in 2019, President Biden stated that the situation has since evolved. The new understanding will enable significant action to reduce the flow of precursor chemicals and pill presses from China to the western hemisphere.
The White House published an official readout after the summit, emphasizing that the United States and China are in competition. The readout stated that restrictions on high technology exports to China will continue, despite objections from Beijing. Furthermore, both leaders welcomed the resumption of high-level military-to-military communication and telephone conversations between military commanders.
President Biden also raised concerns regarding human rights issues in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong, while defending restrictions on China’s access to advanced US technology. He reassured that the United States will take necessary actions to prevent the use of these technologies from undermining national security without unduly limiting trade and investment. Additionally, both leaders highlighted the importance of working together to accelerate efforts in combating climate change.
The Biden-Xi summit results reflect progress in curbing fentanyl production and improving military communication between the US and China. It signifies a renewed commitment to address shared concerns and challenges while acknowledging the competitive nature of their relationship. The agreements reached have the potential to save lives and contribute to the stability and security of the Indo-Pacific region.
