Taiwan and human rights were the topic between Biden and Xi – VG

The president expressed concern about human rights in China, including in western Xinjiang province where 45 percent of the population consists of the Muslim minority Uighurs and where human rights organizations have reported on imprisonment and persecution.

The video meeting between US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping started as planned at 02. The meeting is the first between them since Biden took over the government offices in January.

“President Biden expressed concern about China’s practices in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong, as well as human rights in general,” the White House said in a press release.

China’s strongman, for his part, made it clear that the United States should not support Taiwan’s efforts to gain more independence.

– Taiwanese authorities have long tried to trust that the US will ensure their independence, while some people in the US want to use Taiwan to control China. This trend is very dangerous and is like playing with fire, and those who play with fire burn themselves, Xi said according to the news agency Xinhua.

Biden stated that he opposed Chinese attempts to change Taiwan’s situation. After several military demonstrations of power from China recently, the situation around Taiwan is more tense than for a long time.

China has repeatedly sent a large number of warplanes over Taiwan’s air defense zone, and the rhetoric between the two parties has sharpened.

Relations between China and Taiwan are now more tense than in decades, according to several commentators.

Biden also said that both parties have a responsibility to ensure that relations between the two countries do not end in open conflict.

– I’m glad to see my old friend, Xi said while Biden also served similar courtesies and said that he hopes the two can meet face to face at the next crossroads.

Biden has been eager to meet Xi physically, but the Chinese leader has not been outside China’s borders since the pandemic broke out 21 months ago.

The meeting takes place at the same time as relations between the two countries have been cool lately. Biden has openly criticized China for its treatment of the Uighur minority, and he has stated bluntly that the United States is willing to defend Taiwan if the country is attacked.

Senior researcher at NUPI and the University of Bergen, Hans Jørgen Gåsemyr, recently said VG that it is the “One China Agreement” that was first entered into between the United States and China back in 1972 which is in fact the foundation of Taiwan’s international status today.

It establishes the sovereignty of the People’s Republic of China and that it is the “one China” principle that applies.

At the same time, it means that Taiwan is not recognized as a separate country in the usual diplomatic sense by the United States, the United Nations and most other countries.

After the meeting, Reuters writes, referring to the Chinese state media, that Xi stated that China will take certain precautions if Taiwanese forces “cross the red line”.

The Biden administration opposes any unilateral attempt by China to change the status quo or to undermine peace and stability in Taiwan.

Biden was at the digital meeting in the Roosevelt room in the White House, together with, among others, Foreign Minister Anthony Blinken. Xi brought with him the leader of the Communist Party, Ding Xuexiang, and several advisers.

Biden stated at the summit that his goal is to ensure that “competition does not lead to conflict”.

– All countries must play by the same driving rules, Biden said at the meeting.

Joe Biden says he hopes for an open and sincere conversation with the Chinese leader, and that he hopes they can meet face to face next time.

Xi said he looked forward to a far-reaching and thorough discussion, and that both countries face major challenges that require communication and cooperation. He stressed the importance of both countries respecting each other.

A healthy relationship between the United States and China is also important in meeting global challenges such as climate change and the fight against covid-19, Xi said.

The first part of the meeting ended after just under two hours.

China describes the meeting as fruitful, open, and constructive.

According to the White House, Biden expressed concern about China’s actions in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong. The two top leaders also discussed North Korea, Afghanistan and Iran, according to a statement from US authorities. It is not known what specifically was discussed around these topics.

Biden was also clear on the importance of protecting American workers and industries from “China’s unfair economic practices.”

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