Chinese FM Wang Yi says Xi-Biden meeting went well, based on mutual respect

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the summit meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart, Joe Biden, on Wednesday went well, adding that it took place in a setting of mutual respect.

Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, told the media that the meeting was strategic, historic and in-depth.

The meeting lasted four hours, according to Wang.

He said the leaders offered views on the most pronounced issues confronting the bilateral relations, including adopting a correct perception of each other, properly managing differences and advancing dialogue and cooperation.

"In an atmosphere of mutual respect, the two heads of state had an exchange of views on strategic and overarching issues critical to the direction of China-U.S. relations and on major issues affecting world peace and development," Wang said.

"They had all-round discussions on addressing the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Ukraine crisis, climate change, artificial intelligence and other global challenges," he said.

Wang said President Xi gave a comprehensive and authoritative presentation on China's position on stabilizing and improving China-U.S. relations. 

Xi expressed hope that the two countries could be partners that proactively advance a cooperative agenda in areas where their interests converge, Wang told reporters, noting that Xi also pointed out that despite their different histories, cultures and social systems, it is not an option for China and the U.S. to turn their back on each other.

Wang said Xi and Biden have reached a consensus on over 20 items in various fields, including political diplomacy, cultural exchange, global governance and military security.

Both leaders have agreed to responsibly manage the competitive factors in bilateral relations, substantially increase direct flights between the two countries and establish a government-to-government dialogue mechanism on artificial intelligence, Wang said.

The foreign minister said both sides are committed to actions to reduce domestic emissions, with the joint aim of ensuring the success of COP28, maintaining high-level interactions and reciprocal visits and initiating negotiations for the renewal of the China-U.S. Agreement on Cooperation in Science and Technology.

According to Wang, the two sides have also agreed to resume the China-U.S. Defense Policy Coordination Talks and the China-U.S. Military Maritime Consultative Agreement meetings and to conduct telephone conversations between theater commanders in addition to announcing the establishment of a joint working group on combating drugs.

Wang said under the guidance of the two leaders, China-U.S. relations have navigated through reefs and perilous waters, journeying from Bali to San Francisco – an achievement not easily attained.

However, San Francisco is not the final destination; rather, it should mark a new beginning, he said, adding that China and the United States should and can find the right path for coexistence.