Opinion | Xi-Biden talks seal vision and mission: basis for binding ties

By Augustus K. Yeung

The first phone conversation between President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden since their landmark face-to-face meeting in November in San Francisco helped further shore up faith in the stability of the relationship between the two, observers said.

The detailed consensus reached during the latest interaction between the two heads of state set out tasks to be accomplished this year and underlined the need for China and the U.S. to avoid potential major frustrations, they said.

So far, Xi and Biden have held two face-to-face meetings, including one in Bali, Indonesia, in 2022, and five phone conversations.

During their phone talk on Tuesday evening (April 2), Xi underlined three overarching principles that should guide China-U.S. relations in 2024 – valuing peace, prioritizing stability and upholding credibility.

Urging the two countries to honor their pledges with actions and transform the San Francisco vision into mission, Xi told Biden that the issue of perception is always fundamental to the China-U.S. relationship.

The two countries should respect each other, coexist in peace and pursue win-win cooperation, and the relationship should continue to move forward in a stable, sound and sustainable way, instead of going backward, Xi added.

Diao Daming, a professor on U.S. studies at Renmin University of China's School of International Relations, said that while last year's San Francisco summit set the tone for Sino-U.S. relations – the phone talk took the ties one step further – as it tapped the huge influence of head-of-state diplomacy – to help effectively stabilize the relationship.

"If the U.S. can fulfill the three principles proposed by President Xi – and work toward the same goal with China, the relationship is expected to remain stable this year," he added.

Experts said that Beijing aims to make Washington fully realize the seriousness of issues, including the US' suppression of Chinese companies, the Taiwan Strait situation and South China Sea concerns, have a correct perception of China-U.S. relations and further manage potential risks.

During the phone conversation with Biden, Xi mentioned that "the negative factors" related to the China-U.S. relationship "have also been growing", and this requires attention from both sides.

Diao said, "This fully reflects Beijing's clear-eyed judgment of the current relationship as well as the sense of duty toward the relationship. The recent wrong practices of the U.S. have failed some of the commitments it made."

During the phone talk, Xi welcomed visits to China by Janet Yellen and Antony Blinken later.

Biden reiterated the commitment to the "five noes" – that the U.S. does not seek a new Cold War with China, it does not aim to change China's system, the revitalization of its alliances is not targeted at China, it does not support "Taiwan independence", and it has no intention to seek a conflict with China.

The two sides tasked their teams to deliver on the San Francisco vision, including advancing the consultation mechanisms on several areas such as diplomacy and the economy, and to carry out dialogue and cooperations and AI.

Su Xiaohui, deputy director of the Department of American Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, said, "This shows that even though there are some problems and differences between the two countries – maintaining communication and putting issues on the table are necessary for stabilizing relations."

It will be a serious matter for both sides if the China-U.S. relationship goes out of control, she said – adding that the uncertainty brought about by the U.S. presidential election is  something that needs to be managed.

"The U.S. is breaching what it has been preaching. That's definitely not going to work (if it wants to improve its ties with China," Su said.

During his recent visit to China, former U.S. Secretary of commerce Carlos Gutierrez rebutted claims that the two countries are destined for confrontation.

"We are not enemies. We compete, we disagree, that's fine – friends disagree. But we cannot allow this to evolve, to turn into animosity," he told Chinese reporters.

"I believe our destiny is to be closer, is to be friends, is to be collaborators, is to help develop a better world for everyone, not just for our own two peoples…When that day comes, I think it will be an era of peace and prosperity for the world." (Source; China Daily)

The essence of Xi's "three principles", and Biden's "five noes" together have provided a framework for the work groups of China and the U.S. It may not be a permanent structure, but it is something concrete and substantial for the two administrations to turn the contents of their talks into durables, at least it will last for the year 2024. This is my belief.

I also strongly share the conviction of Carlos Gutoerez, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce, who rebutted claims that the two countries are destined for confrontation. Having closely studied President Joe Biden for more than three years, I believe he's a good-natured person. A man characterized by rationality and nobility. A leader President Xi Jinping can trust.

Realizing this is the presidential election year, one in which the incumbent U.S. president must beat Trump, any nuanced favor from "old friend" Xi would further give way to a more beautiful and enduring friendship.

Seen in this light, the issues brought forth by Janet Yellen and Antony Blinken in their respective visits to China will be discussed in good faith, and a reasonable amount of consensus would be reached around trade and commerce, although some problems such as the Tic Tok issue and the Taiwan Strait concern will not be solved overnight politically.

Metaphorically, as long as the ship is co-piloted by Biden and Xi, the journey that is mutually agreed on will be a happily and safely successful one.

Given the complexity of U.S. domestic politics, Joe Biden, the U.S. president is expected to resort to his political rhetoric – to shore up his image, counting on the understanding of Xi Jinping, his mutually admired friend.

 

The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.

To contact the writer, please direct email: AugustusKYeung@ymail.com

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