‘The U.S. is ready to play’: President Biden presses China’s Xi to find ‘ways to work together’
between the leaders of the world’s two largest economies happened on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit, which is being held this year on the resort island of Bali.
Biden said he and Xi also discussed the potential for Russia to use nuclear weapons in its war in Ukraine.
“We discussed Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, reaffirmed our shared belief in the threat or the use of nuclear weapons is totally unacceptable,” Biden said.
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Xi responded by saying, “The world has come to a crossroads. Where to go from here – this is a question that is not only on our mind but also on the mind of all countries. The world expects that China and the United States will properly handle the relationship.”
Biden and Xi last met in 2017 in Davos, Switzerland, on one Biden’s last days as vice president. Since becoming president in 2021, Biden had spoken with Xi by phone video five times, prior to their meeting on Monday.
Biden said he and Xi had a clear and candid conversation during the meeting that was limited to the two presidents and their closest advisers.
Biden’s administration viewed the meeting with China, which it considers to be the United States’ main economic rival, as an initial conversation between the leaders.
Biden said at his news conference that both leaders agreed Secretary of State Antony Blinken would visit China to follow up on their discussions.
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