President Biden conveyed the US stance on various issues to Chinese President Xi Jinping during a call on Tuesday, as reported by the White House. Xi’s response, while not explicitly worded as such, conveyed a dismissive tone.
Biden underscored the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, the rule of law, freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, and America’s commitment to denuclearizing North Korea. Additionally, he expressed concerns regarding climate change, China’s support for Russia’s defense industry, and unfair trade practices.
However, according to Beijing’s account, Xi emphasized that Taiwan is a red line that must not be crossed. He warned against US efforts to encourage Taiwan independence and stated that China will not remain passive in the face of such actions. Xi accused Washington of adopting measures to suppress China’s trade and technology development, posing risks.
The Chinese portrayal suggests Biden reiterated the US objective not to change China’s system and clarified that Washington doesn’t support Taiwan independence but adheres to the one-China policy.
The accuracy of each side’s portrayal depends on their respective actions. China has engaged in provocations against Taiwan, contributed to the fentanyl crisis, disregarded promises to uphold freedoms in Hong Kong, conducted espionage activities, aided Russia, and claimed territorial rights in the South China Sea.
In contrast, Biden’s response has been criticized for its lack of significant action against China’s behavior. The White House has not taken public steps to compel China to change course, such as addressing espionage activities promptly.
Speculation persists about potential reasons for Biden’s approach, including concerns about overseas escalation or private interests. Regardless, the prevailing perception is that while Xi asserts his authority, Biden’s response falls short of meaningful action.
