Between China and the USA, a virtual summit for not much? – Release

A long conversation but no decision: Joe Biden and Xi Jinping spoke for three and a half hours during the night but disputes remain legion between the two countries, mainly the situation in Taiwan. –

Everywhere, the ball in the center. Joe Biden and Xi Jinping spoke at length during the night of Monday to Tuesday without settling any of their disputes, especially concerning Taiwan, the Chinese president urging his American counterpart not to “play with fire” about this question.

The US president has warned his Chinese counterpart that the United States “Strongly oppose” at any attempt “Unilateral to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait”, according to a text published by the White House after the virtual meeting, which lasted about three and a half hours. Xi Jinping warned the United States to “Do not play with fire” about the island, which China sees as a rebellious province to return to its fold.

“The Taiwanese authorities have repeatedly tried to rely on the United States for independence and some in the United States are trying to use Taiwan to control China,” noted the Chinese leader. “It is a very dangerous tendency which amounts to playing with fire”, he said, according to statements reported by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Joe Biden also expressed his “Concerns about (China’s) practices in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong, and human rights in general”. And he criticized trade and economic practices deemed “Unfair” from China.

These statements contrast somewhat with the kindness displayed at the start of the meeting. The two men greeted each other with their hands, by interposed screens, according to the images shot on either side. Joe Biden had estimated in his opening statements that “The competition between the two countries should not turn into a conflict, whether intentional or not”.

“China and the United States must improve their communication and cooperation”Xi Jinping said for his part, saying he was happy to see “his old friend” for the first time by interposed screens, while their two previous exchanges had been made over the phone.

But in Washington as in Beijing, we wanted to temper expectations on this discussion. If after the coming to power of Joe Biden, the tone has changed compared to the outbursts of the Trump era, the relationship between Washington and Beijing remains extremely tense.

– .