US President Joe Biden has promised there will be no “new Cold War” with China, following a conciliatory meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
He also stated that he does not believe China will invade Taiwan.
It was the first face-to-face meeting between the two world leaders since Mr. Biden took office.As they met at the luxury hotel Mulia on Nusa Dua bay in Bali, Biden and Xi shook hands in front of a row of Chinese and US flags.
At the talks in Bali, a day before the G20 summit on the Indonesian island, the two also discussed North Korea and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Both have stated their opposition to the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine. Mr. Xi, who has been urged to talk down Vladimir Putin, reiterated China’s calls for peace, but added that “there is no simple solution to a complex problem.”
During his press conference, Mr. Biden stated, “It’s difficult to say that I’m certain that China could control North Korea.” He also told Mr. Xi that China had an “obligation” to prevent Pyongyang from conducting another nuclear test.
Taiwan was a major topic of discussion during their three-hour meeting.
The self-governed island, claimed by Beijing, counts the United States as an ally and has long been a source of contention in US-China relations.
Tensions rose when US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August. China responded by conducting large-scale military exercises around the island, raising fears of a conflict between the US and China.
According to a statement released to Chinese state media on Monday, Mr. Xi stated that Taiwan is “the core of China’s core interests… and the first red line in US-China relations that cannot be crossed.”
US President says no Cold war with China
In recent weeks, US officials have warned that China’s plans to invade Taiwan may be escalated.
On Monday, reporters asked Mr. Biden if he thought this was true, and if he thought a new Cold War was brewing.
“There is no need for a new Cold War, in my opinion. I’ve met with Xi Jinping several times, and we were always open and honest with one another. I don’t believe China is planning an invasion of Taiwan anytime soon “He stated.
“I made it clear that we want to see cross-strait issues resolved peacefully so that it never has to come to that. And I’m convinced that he understood what I was saying, just as I did.”
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