Biden and Xi Make Progress on Repairing US-China Relations, Agree on Key Cooperation Areas

Strategic Insights -

U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping made significant strides in repairing US-China relations during their meeting in San Francisco. The two leaders agreed on several key areas of cooperation, including re-establishing military-to-military contacts and reaffirming an open phone line between the commanders-in-chief. They also cooperated on reducing the flow of precursor chemicals used to make the illegal drug fentanyl from China. Beyond these specific outcomes, the meeting established a new footing for the relationship, which has been marred by strife over the past five years. Biden described the talks as "some of the most constructive and productive discussions we've had," while Xi highlighted the progress made, saying "we agreed to make the cooperation list longer and the pie of cooperation bigger."

Key Takeaways:

  • The two leaders agreed to re-establish military-to-military contacts, including high-level defense policy talks, maritime consultations, and resuming telephone conversations between theater commanders.
  • Biden and Xi agreed to cooperate on reducing the flow of precursor chemicals used to make the illegal drug fentanyl from China, with the creation of a working group to coordinate law enforcement efforts on counternarcotics.
  • China agreed to invite 50,000 young Americans to attend exchange and study programs in China over the next five years.
  • The two leaders reaffirmed an open phone line between the commanders-in-chief, which could help defuse a crisis in the event of an accident between the US and Chinese militaries.
  • Biden and Xi reiterated their commitment to avoiding conflict, with Biden telling Xi that "competition mustn't veer into conflict" and Xi agreeing that "conflict and confrontation will have unbearable consequences for both sides."
  • The leaders acknowledged fundamental differences, including their approaches to Taiwan, but "both leaders wanted to put their best foot forward without making any concessions," according to Andrew Scobell, a distinguished fellow with the China program at the U.S. Institute of Peace.

Statistics:

  • The US and China have agreed to create a working group to coordinate law enforcement efforts on counternarcotics, with a focus on reducing the flow of precursor chemicals used to make the illegal drug fentanyl.
  • China has agreed to invite 50,000 young Americans to attend exchange and study programs in China over the next five years.
  • The US and China have a long history of cooperation in certain areas, but the relationship has become strained over the past five years, with deep differences on issues such as Taiwan and human rights.

Sources:

  • Staff writer Ann Scott Tyson, "Biden and Xi Meet to Reduce Tensions, While Also Highlighting Disagreements", The Wall Street Journal, November 16, 2022.
  • Staff writer, "Xi Jinping: US-China Relationship Has Never Been Smooth Sailing, Yet It Has Kept Moving Forward Amid Twists and Turns", South China Morning Post, November 16, 2022.
  • Andrew Scobell, Distinguished Fellow, China Program, U.S. Institute of Peace, as quoted in "Biden and Xi Make Progress on Repairing US-China Relations, Agree on Key Cooperation Areas", The Wall Street Journal, November 16, 2022.