In a landmark meeting held in San Francisco, Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed to restore high-level military-to-military communications, marking a significant step towards mending bilateral relations between the two global powers.
The two leaders emphasized the importance of open lines of communication to prevent misunderstandings that could escalate into serious conflicts. “For two large countries like China and the United States, turning their back on each other is not an option,” President Xi stated. “It is unrealistic for one side to remodel the other, and conflict and confrontation have unbearable consequences for both sides.”
Echoing this sentiment, President Biden remarked, “Vital miscalculations on either side can cause real, real problems,” during a press conference following the meeting.
The discussions led to the establishment of guiding principles aimed at properly managing differences, strengthening dialogue and cooperation, and developing a correct understanding of each other. Both sides agreed to set up a working group to address relevant areas of concern.
This meeting builds on recent efforts by both countries to keep communication channels open, including visits by high-level officials such as California Governor Gavin Newsom, a bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation led by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to the White House.
The leaders also addressed global challenges, injecting optimism into steering multilateralism in the right direction. By committing to dialogue and collaboration, China and the United States aim to reshape their bilateral relations and contribute positively to global stability.
Reference(s):
Xi-Biden meeting: Fix bilateral relations, strengthen multilateralism
cgtn.com
