Xi-Biden meeting: Five takeaways of China and US dialogue amid global tensions

Both US and China agreed to focusing on the restoration of military-to-military communications.

US President Joe Biden and Xi Jinping held a US-China Summit on November 15. It was almost a year since their last encounter in Bali, Indonesia. Both sides discussed various global and bilateral issues. “We’re back to direct, open, clear communications,” Biden said at a press conference after the talks.

Read: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping agree to restore some military-to-military communications

Here are the five takeaways.

Military cooperation Both sides agreed to focus on the restoration of military-to-military communications. This step is crucial for managing tensions between the military forces of the two nations. While no joint statement or formal cooperation declaration was reached, the summit concluded on a positive note. President Biden expressed optimism about the "real progress" made during the talks.

Also read: Biden again calls Xi Jinping a dictator

Taiwan The US reiterated its stance that Taiwan maintains its sovereignty, despite China’s claims to the contrary. Xi Jinping deemed Taiwan crucial in US-China relations. According to US officials, the two leaders had a “substantial” discussion on Taiwan, with Xi saying China had no plans for military action against Taiwan in coming years but also discussed conditions under which force could be used. With Taiwan's January elections approaching, Biden asked China to respect the island's democratic process.

Trade and fentanyl production A significant part of the discussions revolved around fentanyl production. China committed to targeting companies associated with fentanyl production while the US said it would monitor these efforts closely. The Biden regime had announced export controls and sanctions on Chinese companies to limit American companies’ contribution to technology that supports China’s military. Xi called for the US to lift the sanctions and provide a non-discriminatory environment for Chinese companies, Chinese state media said.

Iran Biden sought China's cooperation in de-escalating tensions with Iran. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi confirmed ongoing talks with Iran. Biden clarified that issues related to Hamas are distinct from broader Palestinian concerns, as reported by CNN.

Middle East According to reports, Biden stressed the significance of the Middle East and advocated for peace and stability in the region. The complex roles of both the USA and China in the Middle East were highlighted, acknowledging the challenges and responsibilities each nation holds. The complex roles of the US and China in this region were underscored.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Biden called his day of meetings with Xi “some of the most constructive and productive discussions we’ve had".