Presidents Xi Jinping and Joe Biden warned at the virtual China-USA summit against an open confrontation between the two largest economies in the world.
Beijing / Washington, DC- US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first virtual summit.
They talked about business, human rights and security on Tuesday morning, Beijing time.
The meeting was "constructive and productive," commented China - but both heads of state also warned of conflicts.
Xi Jinping warns the US of a "new cold war" against China
Relations between China and the US have never been so cold since diplomatic relations were established in 1979. A simmering trade conflict, the dispute over Taiwan and human rights caused differences. The fact that the two world powers are now looking for a joint conversation is already considered a success. The leaders have never met personally; Xi Jinping largely closed the borders about two years ago and has not left China since. There have only been two phone calls since Joe Biden took office. However, the two leaders agreed at the summit that their differences should not lead to open conflict.
The two largest economies in the world are responsible "to ensure that competition between our countries does not degenerate into a conflict, whether intentionally or unintentionally," said US President Joe Biden at the beginning of the summit. Xi Jinping said it was normal for the two countries to have disagreements. The decisive factor, however, is to get this under control constructively and to prevent any tightening. It is clear, however, that China must protect its own sovereignty, security and development interests.
The Chinese head of state compared the two world powers with two ocean liners: "We have to stabilize the rudder so that the two gigantic ships China and USA move forward against wind and waves without deviating from course, stalling or colliding," said the president.
At the same time, he warned the US against starting a "new cold war" against China.
The aim of the summit “not relaxation”: Joe Biden addresses important issues
The personal assessment of the two statesmen was interesting: while Xi Jinping described his US counterpart on Chinese state television as an "old friend", the White House spokeswoman said that Joe Biden did not see his Chinese colleague as an "old friend". The aim of the virtual summit was not "relaxation", said a high-ranking US government representative. Rather, it was about managing competition between the two countries responsibly.
The US President also addressed conflict-ridden issues.
For example, the persecution of the Uyghurs, the suppression of the democracy movement in Hong Kong, dealing with Tibet and human rights in China.
The Taiwan conflict was also mentioned.
China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province and wants to achieve "reunification".
At the virtual summit, Xi Jinping repeated his threats to conquer the island democratic republic in the event of a formal secession.
The US, on the other hand, sees itself as the protecting power of Taiwan.
Biden was referring to the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, with which the United States committed itself to the island's defense capability.
Military experts believe a military conflict over Taiwan is possible within the next six years.
(bm / dpa)