លោក Biden និង Xi ប្រាប់គ្នាទៅវិញទៅមកឱ្យប្រកាន់ខ្ជាប់នូវស្ថានភាពបច្ចុប្បន្នរបស់តៃវ៉ាន់

Chinese president warns of 'resolute measures' to block independence

NEW YORK -- In their first virtual face-to-face summit, U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping both confirmed that there is no change in their stance on Taiwan, but expressed concern that the other party may break the status quo.

Biden underscored that the U.S. remains committed to the "One China" policy, under which Washington acknowledges the Chinese position that there is but one China and has formal ties with Beijing rather than Taipei. 

But he also warned that "the United States strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," according to a readout provided by the White House after virtual summit on Monday evening (Tuesday morning in Asia).

A senior Biden administration official said Biden directly expressed concern about China's behavior that he believes is at odds with peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Xi, meanwhile, noted that there is a "new wave of tensions" across the Taiwan Strait, and blamed it on "repeated attempts by the Taiwan authorities to look for U.S. support for their independence agenda as well as the intention of some Americans to use Taiwan to contain China."

Such moves are extremely dangerous, he said, comparing it to playing with fire. "Whoever plays with fire will get burnt," he warned.

Reiterating Beijing's position that (a) there is but one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China, (b) the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing China, and (c) achieving China's complete reunification is an aspiration shared every member of the Chinese nation. 

Members of the Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party Politburo raise hands as they attend the sixth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee in Beijing, on Nov. 11. (Xinhua via AP)

"We have patience and will strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with utmost sincerity and efforts," Xi said, but added, "Should the separatist forces for Taiwan independence provoke us, force our hands or even cross the red line, we will be compelled to take resolute measures."

The U.S. president also raised concerns about China's practices in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong, as well as human rights more broadly, according to the White House statement, and he discussed the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and reiterated how freedom of navigation and safe overflight was important to the region's prosperity.

"The two leaders discussed the complex nature of relations between our two countries and the importance of managing competition responsibly," the readout said. "As in previous discussions, the two leaders covered areas where our interests align, and areas where our interests, values, and perspectives diverge."

Xi hit back at Biden's comments on Beijing's human rights record. China is willing to conduct dialogue on human rights issues on the basis of mutual respect, but is not in favor of using human rights to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, Xi was quoted by Xinhua News Agency as saying.

Xi asked Biden not to crack down on Chinese companies under the pretext of national security, insisting that both countries should focus on making a "big cake" of cooperation. He also promised "fast track" approvals to facilitate U.S. businesspersons visiting China.

Following their bilateral cooperation to achieve decarbonization goals, Xi suggested to Biden that working together on climate change could become a new highlight of the relationship.

And rather than politicizing COVID-19, Xi said both countries should instead set up a cooperative mechanism to tackle global public health and infectious diseases, referring to suggestions by some in the U.S. that the virus was man-made.

"President Xi entered the summit firmly believing that the U.S. is a fading super-power, destined to recede as China inevitably rises. In Xi's view, China's time has arrived, and it is no longer necessary to hide power and bide time, as Deng Xiaoping counseled," Stephen Olson, a senior research fellow at the Hinrich Foundation, told Nikkei Asia.

"Biden has been remarkably blunt in stating that he views the U.S.-China relationship as a contest between democratic values and authoritarian values -- a contest which he believes the democratic world can, must, and will win. Cooperation with China on some issues will be necessary and beneficial, and these areas were understandably stressed during the summit," Olson added.

Biden and Xi greet basketball players at Qingchengshan High School in Dujiangyan, China on Aug. 21, 2011. (Photo courtesy of the White House)

The meeting, which lasted more than three hours, started warmly with Biden and Xi waving to each other once they saw one another on the TV screen.

From the Roosevelt Room of the White House, with his top aides seated around the table, Biden started by noting that the two have "spent an awful lot of time talking to each other" over the years, reflecting on their relationship that began a decade ago.

"Good to see you, Mr. President ... next time, I hope we get to do it face to face like we used to, when we traveled through China. We've spent an awful lot of time talking to one another, I hope that we could have a candid conversation tonight as well," Biden said.

But Biden did not waste any time getting straight to the point. He stated plainly that their responsibility was to ensure the two nations do not "veer into conflict," intended or unintended in their ongoing competition. Biden said the two nations must establish "common sense guardrails" but also recognize where interests overlap, particularly as it relates to climate change.

"Good to see you, Mr. President and your colleagues. It's the first time for us to meet virtually, although it's not as good as a face to face meeting, I'm very happy to see my old friend," Xi told Biden in his opening remarks.

"Humanity lives in a global village, and we face multiple challenges together," the Chinese leader said. "We should run our domestic affairs well and shoulder our due international responsibilities."

In an apparent attempt to bridge the gap between the nations, Biden wore a red tie -- the color of China's flag -- Xi sported a blue tie -- the color of the president's Democratic Party.

Biden was accompanied by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, national security adviser Jake Sullivan, Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell, National Security Council Senior Director for China Laura Rosenberger and China Director Jon Czin.

Xi was accompanied by Director of the Communist Party General Office Ding Xuexiang, Vice Premier Liu He, top diplomat Yang Jiechi, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng.

"The open question for the broader relationship is whether the U.S. and China can constructively manage the slow-motion collision that is now unfolding between their very different worldviews," Hinrich's Olson said. "Neither country is going to disappear. Neither country will accede to the other's view. The prudent path forward would be to find plausible ways for each side's divergent narratives to coexist."

"This is perhaps what Biden had in mind when he referred to the need for "common sense guardrails" in the relationship."

Biden has tea with Xi at a traditional tea ceremony in Dujiangyan on Aug. 21, 2011. (Photo courtesy of the White House)

For Xi, a prime challenge is the threat of an economic slowdown after decades of record growth as China faces an aging population and an increasingly antagonistic global marketplace. Last week the Chinese Communist Party's sixth plenary session framed Xi as the only man for the job to tackle the challenges facing China as he consolidates support for an unprecedented third term in next year's elections.

Biden, in contrast, presides over a deeply polarized nation and weakening political support for his party amid a stalled domestic agenda ahead of midterm elections next year that could curtail his ability to enact his agenda for the rest of his term. Any concession viewed as weak on China would surely resurface on election day.

"Neither Xi Jinping nor Biden can appear to be soft in this relationship. If they appear to be soft, then they will be eaten alive at home," said Professor Huang Jing, a political scientist at Beijing Language and Culture University.

Additional reporting by CK Tan, Cissy Zhou and Andrew Sharp

Nikkei Asia