The last time the two who are now the most powerful men in the world met, it came to a delicate scene.
So far only one version of the story is known, that of Joe Biden, the new US president.
In early December 2013, Biden, then Vice President, flew to China to meet President Xi Jinping.
A few days earlier, Beijing had declared an air traffic control zone over the East China Sea.
Every pilot, civil or military, will in future have to ask China's airspace control for permission before flying over this part of the Pacific, according to Beijing.
Biden rejected that.
"What do you expect from me now?" Xi Jinping asked him that December day, Biden later reported.
“I said, I don't expect much.
But just so you know, we're going to send B-52 bombers.
We are already on our way.
Just so you know we don't recognize it.
Period. ”It would be“ wise, ”added Biden, if Beijing did not let things go to extremes.
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