Given the tense relations between the two countries, Biden wants to ensure that their “competition does not turn into a conflict.” According to Sullivan, China had “basically cut off” dialogue between the armed forces amid bilateral tensions.
According to the US, Biden will meet Xi on Wednesday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco. According to Sullivan, the Iranian nuclear program will also be discussed. Biden also wants to talk about the threat “Iran poses to regional stability” and US forces in the region.
The two presidents last met a year ago at the G20 summit in Bali. Since then, relations between the two countries have deteriorated significantly. Points of contention include trade, human rights and the Taiwan conflict. However, both states have recently made efforts to improve the relationship.
In general, the USA and the increasingly self-confident China are fighting for global influence, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. Tensions are particularly high in connection with Taiwan, which China sees as a breakaway province and wants to reincorporate itself by force if necessary.
