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US says working on in-person Biden-Xi talks despite Taiwan tension
The two leaders agreed in a phone call in late July to explore the possibility of holding their first face-to-face meeting since Biden took office in January last year. But tensions between the two countries have increased following US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit in early August to Taiwan, a self-ruled democratic island which Beijing views as its own.
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In this image released by the White House, US President Joe Biden (left) speaks with Chinese President Xi Jinping (on screen) from the White House in Washington, DC, on March 18, 2022. Chinese leader Xi said war is (AFP/The White House)
The United States and China are making "active efforts" to realize an in-person meeting between their respective leaders Joe Biden and Xi Jinping, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday, even as tensions remain high over Taiwan.
The two leaders agreed in a phone call in late July to explore the possibility of holding their first face-to-face meeting since Biden took office in January last year. But tensions between the two countries have increased following US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit in early August to Taiwan, a self-ruled democratic island which Beijing views as its own.
"We're still working on dates and locations" for the potential meeting, Kirby told reporters.
Viewing Pelosi's visit as an act that undermines its sovereignty, China has been furious over the move, responding by holding large-scale military drills in areas encircling Taiwan and cutting off some trade with the island.
It also suspended exchanges with the United States in a range of areas including dialogue between military commanders, bilateral talks on climate change and some cooperation on counternarcotics.
Kirby said Wednesday that the two countries still have channels of communication open, including at "very senior levels" such as ambassadors, and also militarily "at the appropriate level."
"We believe that at the very least those lines of communication stay open to help reduce chances for miscalculation, particularly in areas where contention can run high, whether that's the South China Sea or the Taiwan Strait," the spokesman said, while urging China to resume bilateral engagement on climate change and other issues that have been shelved.
Both Biden and Xi are reportedly expected to attend a Group of 20 summit in Bali in November, making it one possible venue for them to hold a face-to-face meeting on the sidelines.
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit in Thailand will also take place the same month, with the United States and China both members of the group.
