Two presidents, one summit: Xi and Biden at APEC

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Joe Biden in Lima, Peru, November 16, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

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By Anthony Moretti

In a meeting with his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden in Lima on Saturday, Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed four points of "unchanged": China's goal of a stable, healthy and sustainable China-U.S. relationship remains unchanged; its commitment to mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation as principles for handling China-U.S. relations remains unchanged; its position of resolutely safeguarding China's sovereignty, security and development interests remains unchanged; and its desire to carry forward the traditional friendship between the Chinese and American peoples remains unchanged.

Xi's message conveyed China's goodwill toward developing mutually beneficial ties with the United States. As Xi has stressed on several occasions, it is important to have a correct strategic perception, the four points of "unchanged" can help Washington foster a correct perception of Beijing's cooperative stance, its red lines, and its paramount principles on bilateral ties.

Despite ups and downs over the past four decades, the China-U.S. relationship has remained stable overall. Under the stewardship of the two presidents, Beijing-Washington dialogue and cooperation have been brought back on track, with more than 20 communication mechanisms restored or established, and positive achievements made in a range of areas.

The Xi-Biden meeting in Lima is expected to bring more cooperation. Climate change might be the most obvious area for progress. The two leaders consistently discuss the need to rein in global warming and other threats to the environment. In the Lima meeting, Biden sought to impress upon Xi that he and his party will remain positive actors for protecting the climate.

One can hope that the next U.S. administration will show a firm commitment to regular communication between American and Chinese officials. The Sunnylands Statement, agreed upon last year, must remain a priority.

The two presidents also spoke positively about the important role of China-U.S. economic and trade ties. They agreed to maintain the momentum in communication and strengthen macroeconomic policy coordination.

However, as Xi stressed, "'small yard, high fences' is not what a major country should do; only openness and sharing can advance the well-being of humanity." The U.S. needs to send a different message about tariffs. The evidence on tariffs is clear: They simply do not work. With that in mind, progress on reducing tariffs is welcomed, but it may have to be measured in small steps, unfortunately.

At the risk of oversimplifying, technology is at the foundation of climate change and trade. He recognizes China’s commitment to solar panels and electric vehicles, as just two examples, and the connection among climate, trade and technology becomes clearer.

A photovoltaic power station in Yi-Hui-Miao autonomous county of Weining, Guizhou province, July 6, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

China is one of the global leaders in these areas, and consumers in many countries are benefitting from purchasing these items. Following the Xi-Biden meeting in Lima, the two countries can continue to outline ways for the science, business, and education communities to work together to further develop these and other climate-friendly products. Should the U.S. allow such items into the American market, win-win cooperation would result.

Likewise, artificial intelligence provides an area where alignment between the U.S. and China is essential. The potential for AI to be a force for good is obvious, and that potential will expand as the two nations engage in efforts to prevent any efforts to misuse AI. The capabilities of both nations in this area are perhaps incalculable.

Returning to China and Xi, the crux of his message, whether delivered to audiences in South America or elsewhere in the world, is straightforward: Stable and positive relations between countries ought to the be global norm. In such an environment, mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation form the foundation of all diplomatic efforts.

Xi's vision is one in which China and the U.S. work in harmony to combat the most pressing international concerns while also respecting the other's internal affairs.

China remains ready to be a collaborative partner. As Eric Farnsworth, vice president at the Washington-based Council of the Americas, noted, China's ongoing efforts are bearing fruit. "The idea that China is somehow a better partner is increasingly being heard around the region," he said.

Biden would be wise to deliver an enthusiastic endorsement of the role the United States can – and must – play in fostering continued positive relations with China and other APEC countries through concrete actions.

The author Anthony Moretti, is an associate professor in the Department of Communication and Organizational Leadership at Robert Morris University.