Biden And Xi Jinping's Meeting To Discuss US-China Competition

Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 Summit (PHOTO VIA ANTARA)

JAKARTA - US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will meet face-to-face this week to discuss bilateral relations and the growing rivalry between the two countries and how to manage it, a senior US official said.

Biden and Xi are scheduled to meet face-to-face for the first time in a year on Wednesday, when Pacific countries gather for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, California.

On Wednesday, the two leaders "will discuss some of the most fundamental elements of the US-China bilateral relationship, including the importance of strengthening open lines of communication, and managing competition responsibly so that it does not lead to conflict," US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters.

"The way we achieve this is through intense diplomacy. That is how we clear up misunderstandings and avoid surprises (unexpected actions or events)," as reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Tuesday, November 14.

"That's how we work together and when our interests overlap, and deliver on top priorities for the American people," he added.

Sullivan said Sunday that Biden would also ask Xi to restart military-to-military communications between the two countries.

The move came after Beijing suspended such communications and took other punitive measures in retaliation for the downing of a Chinese plane over US territory.

Washington believed it was a spy balloon. However, Beijing denied these accusations and said that it was a weather balloon.