China's ruler Xi Jinping
Photo: PABALLO THEKISO / AFP
US President Donald Trump and China's ruler Xi Jinping haven't spoken to each other for eight months.
At the Asia-Pacific summit, the two have now met again virtually.
Trump's appearance could not be seen publicly, however: Host Malaysia interrupted the live TV broadcast after the start, before Trump gave his speech.
Trump's team, however, tweeted almost continuously while Xi Jinping spoke.
Trump and Xi last spoke on the phone on March 27 - before the corona pandemic really got going.
Then Trump praised Xi.
He expressed “great respect!” And wrote on Twitter about the “very good” conversation they shared: “China has been through a lot and has developed a good understanding of the virus.
We work closely together «.
After that, tensions increased.
The USA responded with sanctions to the trade war, Beijing's tough course in Hong Kong and the persecution of the Uyghurs.
The relationship between the two largest economies is now at its lowest level since diplomatic relations were established in 1979. There is talk of a "new Cold War".
Trump never misses an opportunity to blame China for the "China virus" - also to divert attention from his own failures, as critics say.
"We have achieved a great strategic success in the fight against the virus"
Xi Jinping, however, appeared very self-confident at the conference.
The most populous country has had the virus largely under control since the summer and today there are hardly any infections.
China's authorities are using strict measures, quarantine, contact tracing and entry restrictions.
"We have achieved a great strategic success in the fight against the virus," Xi Jinping said the previous day via video to business leaders.
China will be the only major economy to grow this year
China also managed to get production going again and thus to achieve growth again in the first three quarters, Xi emphasized.
With the world in deep recession, China will be the only major economy to grow this year - an estimated two percent.
"These hard-won achievements speak volumes about the resilience and vitality of the Chinese economy," said Xi.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and the new Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga will also attend the video summit.
Two years ago, Trump only sent Vice President Mike Pence, which was seen as a sign of a lack of interest in the region.
In 2019, Chile had to cancel the meeting due to unrest in the country.
The Apec community formed in 1989 represents more than half of global economic output and 39 percent of the world's population.
In addition to China and the ten states of the Southeast Asian community Asean, US allies such as Japan, Australia and South Korea are also participating.
The free trade pact was seen as a success for China, which was able to further expand its influence in the region.
Trump and Xi Jinping will meet again on Saturday - at the also virtual summit of the group of large industrial nations (G20) chaired by Saudi Arabia.
It is the first meeting of heads of state and government since the pandemic began.
Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) will also take part in the two-day deliberations.
Icon: The mirror
mfh / dpa