In a rare meeting at an estate near San Francisco, President Joe Biden and China’s President Xi Jinping have agreed to restart direct military-to-military communications.
This move aims to alleviate escalating tensions between the two nations, emphasizing the importance of clear channels to prevent accidents.
President Biden highlighted the significance of being able to “pick up the phone and be directly heard immediately.”
The decision to resume military communications comes after a year of severed ties with China following a visit to Taiwan by then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Despite ongoing disagreements, President Biden described the talks as “constructive and productive,” emphasizing President Xi’s straightforward approach.
Aside from military communications, both leaders announced agreements on various fronts.
Steps to address the flow of fentanyl from China to the US were discussed, with a focus on reducing precursor chemicals and pill presses.
This move is expected to contribute to a decline in overdose deaths in the US.
The leaders also tackled issues such as the Israel-Gaza conflict, urging China to leverage its influence with Iran to prevent provocative actions.
The agreement to jointly examine artificial intelligence and extensive discussions on Taiwan, described by President Xi as a major issue, was part of the summit’s agenda.
China emphasized the restoration of military communications on the basis of equality and respect.
President Xi stated, “Planet Earth is big enough for the two countries to succeed,” emphasizing the need to avoid confrontation for the benefit of both nations.
While the meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) summit had high expectations, officials downplayed the likelihood of major breakthroughs.
The focus remains on managing competition, preventing conflicts, and ensuring open channels of communication between the two superpowers.
Relations had soured earlier in the year following the downing of a suspected Chinese spy balloon over US airspace, and efforts to improve communication were initiated during Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Beijing in June.
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