China is inhabited by 1.4 billion Han or about 18% of humans and has a continuous written record of more than 3 millenia.
China missed out on the industrial revolution and due to the intransigence of the Qing Dynasty it was defeated by colonial powers.
Today the West wants to trade with this vast population and has created a set of treaties of which the main one that opened up China by Nixon was known as the "One China Policy" and strategic ambiguity.
To try to contain China Obama had "Strategic Alliances" with the "Pivot to Asia". Trump had "no ambiguity" "America First". Now Biden is in power we have "Strategic Senility" or "Senile Ambiguity".
The evolution of America's China Policy has become very much like an Alzheimer's patient who finds the key they lost but doesn't know what it is.
To be a hegemon America needs cogent dialectic to establish command over the "Allies" however with such second grade moronic leadership, in both American political parties, it is clear that domestic chaos will reign and China will beat America in the game of geopolitical weichi.
America has given up Central Asia and Africa where the Chinese now monopolise these regions through the "belt and road". With their full ascension into to the RCEP on January 1 2022, China has taken a huge territory of trade and soft power with vaccine diplomacy and the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank being part of their brilliant moves to extinguish American dominance inside the second island chain.
3
Re: Teleconference
Xi wants Taiwan back as he states that this area was once a part of China, that is before Mao Zedong took over during their revolution. Well, is this Taiwan separation not the same as the one where Canada and the USA, which both were part of the same British North American territory, and when the American Revolution separated the USA from the British, in the same way the Mao revolution separated itself from Taiwan, did not Canada become a separate legal entity? Now, like Canada, Taiwan should become a separate nation for it also has paid its due diligence, which has taken the same long time before it could become one. The time has come for Taiwan to declare its rights to be a separate nation and China also needs to accept this fact. If China claims that Taiwan was once part of their territory and today has the right to control them then maybe all of Africa needs to claim title of China for it was their people who first lived in this part of the world.
1
@David Gage As you correctly pointed out that Canada became independent after American Revolution (aka war), Taiwan needs to go through a war as well in order to be independent.
2
@David Gage i think the U.S. civil war would be a better comparison
1
@David Gage Canada Act, also called Constitution Act of 1982, Canada's constitution approved by the British Parliament on March 25, 1982, and proclaimed by Queen Elizabeth II on April 17, 1982, making Canada wholly independent. So in your view Taiwan would need approval to be independent from China from the Chinese Government just like Canada was given permission from the Queen and Parliament. So it is not an independent state.
Xi began the summit by waving to Biden, and greeting him as his “old friend” in an attempt to break the ice.
Out of the US perspective, the summit yielded little other than “polite words” from Beijing - unlike the ill-tempered exchanges in March between officials of both sides in Anchorage.
While Xi emphasised the personal relationship between him and Biden, he also used the meeting to warn the US that encouraging Taiwanese independence would be "playing with fire".
In his view, he has got what he came for - sending an unmisunderstandable message to the US and its allies about meddling in Taiwan.
Of course there are other pressing issues that need to be addressed, but he'd leave them sought out by his lieutenants with their US counterparts.
6
I think the meeting went pretty well.
12
Readers, help me figure this out. China is a threat to the US because:
Their military has bases all over the world? No, that's the US.
They have an army prepared to fight two wars simultaneously across two oceans. No, that also the US.
They have more nuclear weapons than anyone. No, that's the US by a huge margin.
They have a military space force. No, that's us.
China invaded its neighbors. They seized Tibet, but that was decades ago. Since then the US has invaded no less than 40 different nations, occupying some, like Afghanistan and Iraq for 20 years.
China is still a neophyte when it comes to military aggression.
They have more nuclear aircraft carriers, more strategic and tactical missiles, more advanced aircraft, nuclear subs capable of launching nuclear missiles.
Once again, wrong. Our military has China beat in every category.
OK, they captured the US auto industry. No, that was Japan.
They are flooding the US market with cheap goods that our manufacturers can't compete with.
Actually, half of all imports from China are made by US companies that don't have to pay tariffs when they re-ship make to the US.
They have the advantage of cheap Chinese labor and lax environmental controls and subsidized transportation along with no tariffs.
So, why is China this emerging threat to the US and our national interests?
Maybe the answer is as long as we define our "national interests" as dominating the world, then maybe they are a threat.
20
@Drspock Does China need to have a massive buildup of their military in order to protect themselves? NO! However, they seem to want to feel good about their military size and the directly related military response possibilities and as a result are following the other big guys, the USA and Russia, and therefore will continue to unnecessarily invest even more in their very large military machine. Some of us once thought that they were smarter than the rest of us but we were wrong. Their leaders as equally dumb and seem to want to repeat the revolting behaviors of their founder.
2
@Drspock; Totally on the spot! Time for a reality check: The US is not the ONLY mafia boss in the world theatre at present (which we enjoyed for a long time). The two godfathers will have to call a truce, otherwise its going to be nuclear Armageddon.
1
@David Gage I agree with your stentiment, but it’s actually more sinister than that I think. You don’t go though the enormous effort to develop, manufacture and field the new weapons systems China has unless you’re _planning_ on going to war with the United States. They’ve even built mockups of US warships in the Chinese desert to practice on. These guys are planning an invasion of Taiwan, and a wider conflict with the US and West over control of the entire Asia and Pacific region. In essence, they want to replace Western hegemony with Chinese hegemony, and replace the post WWII order with their own fascist, totalitarian version.
I’d much rather die than live in a world like that. It has to be resisted at all costs. The West has great flaws that are inbuilt, and I am not papering over them. And it is in decline. But for the time being, the world is far and away better off being led by them than by any other cohort of peoples or ideologies.
2
While the meeting was barely finished, we had already asked the Chinese to release their strategic petroleum reserve to help calming down the soaring oil price. We also asked the Chinese government coming to the table for nuclear agreement. This is a world that U.S. can no longer do it alone. There are more problems than we can manage.
China is beyond the stage that they can be fooled by our words. They are watching our actions to see if it matches our words carefully. We ban their companies selling products to our markets, and sanction our products selling to them. But we want to talk to them for news coverage. Thus, China took this opportunity to give us a stern warning that Taiwan is a non-negotiable issue.
The bottom line is that China won't promise more or go any further without seeing our actions to actually improve bi-lateral relationship.
11
I know that diplomacy can be slow and boring. But after the talks this week why does the U.S. bring up the issue of boycotting the Chinese Olympics? Because Joe did not get a formal invitation? Where was this learned in diplomacy? That is why China outclassed the U.S. in the talks and why China is so strong. We have wasted the last 50 years waging wars allover the world while China has been building connections and infrastructure all over the world. We are slaloming downward while they are rising even stronger. Do we really want to tangle with the Chinese and Russians? I think we know we would not benefit from a War with them. Reality check people. We are the nation that gave China much of it's financial gains by out sourcing cheap labor, manufacturing, and buying their products. We produce very little except more social problems on our citizens. Diplomacy!
12
@Mark Schneider Don't forget that we benefited greatly from China's cheap goods. Otherwise, we will have inflation at 15% per year. Why criticize the person mowing your lawn while you won't think about doing it yourself. We are so hypocritical.
7
Polite words is by the way the language of diplomacy. And this may seem strange to the authors of the article. For Chinese, here represented by Xi Jinping, it's clearly what they want to say to the U.S. President: be careful in your relationship with the second power in the world, soon becoming the first. Because China is not conquering its place in the world by the arms, just by its own weight, and that it seems is something that the U.S. officials at all levels don't understand. That China is a millennia merchant nation which has suffered huge and forceful invasions from the est (Japan) and the west (Europe).
14
Xi said whoever is playing with fire will get burnt. Well, China has built a mock US aircraft carrier in a dessert for target practice; China has sent hundreds of fighter jets and bombers into Taiwan's airspace and conducted many live ammunition drills in preparation of an invasion to Taiwan; and China has been tailgating US navy fleet in public seas. So, who is playing with fire?
5
These US aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines are constantly sailing off China's coast armed with missiles that can destroy multiple cities in an instant. What would the US do if China sent its carriers and nuclear submarines to LA and New York?
19
@Frank Wood ,
Everyone! And it needs to stop. We were friends with China briefly during WWII. They suffered terribly under the Japanese. They sacrificed hundreds of thousands to protect American pilots lost over China.
China has suffered under the weight of her own history and her fight to not become just another broken colonized country should make all of us who fought for freedom from colonization proud.
China has four times as many people to care for as the U.S. and as we all know there is no west to go to. Physical Expansion, that made the U.S. a world power is over. There is no where for anyone to run. The U.S. will not be able to protect it's mainland as we did in the last war. Imagine what China could do to the world if they geared up to fight as Japan did in WWII. Yes, Japan woke the tiger in us, but a fight like that with China would rain such fire on America to horrible imagine. And it would be so absolutely unnecessary!
China and the US can be great friends. We need to figure out how China can grow, as it must to feed it's people, while protecting freedom and reducing Climate Change. That is a tall order anyway you cut it. The very last thing we need to do is disrespect their issues or make them fearful. They need our help! They have WWII in their rear view mirror and if that hasn't made them fearful in everything they do then that means they have amazing resilience. Resilience is something we honor in the U.S.
Take a chill pill, nice words
16
I wish someone reminds President Biden and President Xi Jinping that a war - nuclear or conventional - between their countries, will be cataclysmic. Such a war will release so much heat into the earth atmosphere that it would be a cruel joke to talk about limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
12
@Eddie B. The amount of heat released into the atmosphere by a large scale nuclear conflict would be insignificant compared to the normal heating of the atmosphere by the sun every day.
But yes, a nuclear war would be cataclysimic for _everyone_. Of course, the bombs themselves would each kill tens of millions of people in one go. But apart from that, every city hit by a nuke would be vapourised, burned and pulverised, dumping a large proportion of its actual physical mass into the upper atmosphere as smoke. That smoke would block out most of the sunlight for years, causing crops to fail all over the world. The countries most affected would be small countries who had nothing to do with the conflict. Most of their populace would starve to death as they wouldn’t have enough arable land to grow crops at a fraction of the yield in the poor sunlight.
The smoke would also destroy the ozone layer, up to 75% of it in a large scale conflict through heating by the smoke (the smoke would absorb sunlight and heat up the upper atmosphere) and nitrogen oxides generated by the nuclear detonation. The smoke would protect the Earth initially, but once it started to dissipate after a few years we would be exposed to dangerous levels of ultraviolet radiation.
And of course, we haven’t even mentioned the nuclear fallout and the greatly increased rates of cancer it would cause for decades, if not centuries.
Needless to say, although humanity wouldn’t end, civilisation most certainly would.
5
Why the US never openly contemplated a military conflict with Russia, but is now doing so with China? Because Chinese military is still no match for the US and China has followed a minimal nuclear deterrence strategy. But as US rhetoric heats up and support for Taiwan continues to increase, the situation is inching ever closer to the precipice. To prevent a catastrophic war between China and US, there are two solutions that are the most realistic. One solution is for US to restore the balance in its China Taiwan policy, namely to reaffirm that US is firmly against Taiwan independence, and firmly against reunification of China and Taiwan by force. Recent US policies have ignored the former, which is seen by China as significantly strengthening Taiwan’s pro-independence party and getting dangerously to China’s red line that will trigger war. Such a solution is the least costly and would be acceptable to the public on all sides, but not to the political elites with their own agenda. A second solution is for China to significantly increase its nuclear arsenal and abandon its no first strike nuclear policy to raise the stake, so that a war between China and US becomes as unthinkable as a war between US and Russia due to the risk of nuclear war. This is a less desirable solution, but it is still better than actual war between China and US, which will destroy the global supply chain and drag the whole world down.
13
Do you think China embarked on the greatest military expansion in world history paid for by us with no plan to use that military?
3
We are clearly not prepared for the coming Chinese onslaught. Even uttering such a truism these days can draw criticism and conflated charges of xenophobia and racism. Of course, the Chinese have no such compunctions and are clear eyed on their goals and objectives for world domination. Who could blame them … there is us, rapidly turning out as Exhibit A for dysfunctional liberalism that’s morphed into Wokeness and other attendant First World craziness; and then, there’s the rest of the liberal world order not faring any better. While we have a censorious political class that’s actively pursuing national sabotage, the Chinese have finally arrived and engaged in real politik, ready to expand beyond regional hegemony. Frankly, who could stop them - neither India, recently, much maligned punching bag for so called liberals everywhere nor a defenestrated Japan can stand up to China. Observe how little the world said to side with India nor Japan when China tried to bully its way into Indian territory or flaunt Japanese maritime sovereignty. The preemptive global surrender has commenced and the tragedy is that we could still win, if we would only reclaim our martial spirit and national purpose.
8
@Freedom - You should "research" this a bit more. The US has 800+ bases scattered around the world. China has 1 (in Djibouti). We are way, way ahead in global domination but they will not cower in fear to our increasingly perilous power projection
1
Well, the words were actually not that polite if you translate the political speak to normal language.
Xi just read some prepared statements and might have well sent an email instead. They basically agreed that they are rivals and that the conflict would not escalate today but most likely in the future. As expected. My prediction is that it will get worse
4
“ 'It seems clear to me we need to establish some common-sense guardrails,' Mr. Biden told Mr. Xi in opening remarks..."
Translation: China needs to operate within a system of rules, set by international organizations.
That sounds like a reasonable proposition, until one asks which international organizations and which rules.
Essentially, the US is asking China to follow rules set by the US/west - through US-built organizations - for the sole purpose of protecting US/west interests. These rules are designed and repeatedly used to restrict/punish governments that the US feels their policies - domestic or international - are in conflict with its interest. However, the US has demonstrated on many occasions that it does not feel bound by the same rules.
For the US and China to be "competitors" not "enemies" and to avoid a "cold war", the rules of international organizations need to be set by the UN; not the US or China. And any applications of the rules to a country should be approved by majority of organization members.
14
The basic premise of your argument is incoherent. There is nothing inherently US or West Centric based on these rules. China has grown enormously in wealth because of the direct manipulation of the rules based system.
The rules set by GATT, General Agreement on Trades and Tariffs and the WTO, World Trade Organization are set to make an even playing field for every country, not to skew it in favour of the West/US.
For example, these rules make clear that currency manipulation (devaluation of currency below market prices to make exports cheaper) dumping (setting prices of goods and services below market cost), intellectual theft of property and high tariffs for imports are to discouraged.
It is clear that China, has flagrantly flouted each and every one of these rules since its entry into the WTO to rapidly ramp up and become a manufacturing superpower in only 20 years and then use its economic clout to gain economic and military hedgemony.
The party is over for China.
1
We must never doubt that fighting global warming is too late or no longer possible. We only have this planet. Nothing can help better than conversations between the most powerful politicians in the world. Finally, this ability to listen to each other is back in the wise house.
The poltergeist gossiper Trump had no respect from politicians with some decency and so little could achieve.
What a positive difference today.
2
Both presidents did fine work in showing just what diplomacy should be about and aiming for peaceful engagement indefinitely. This was like Nixon and Kissinger going to China all over again and promising to bring peace for generations.
7
It is good for America and China to talk. Talking with each other and listening to each other is how humans heal. Talleyrand said man was given words to disguise his thoughts, but I disagree. I believe words are a communication system we need to connect to other nervous systems. To be aware is to be aware of something or someone. A highly evolved nervous system like humans' is a circuit that needs interaction to live. China and the United States see things differently right now, and have since 1949. But just because one sees differently does not mean that there is one correct way to see.
That being said, certain conditions allow for the human nervous system to thrive, such as freedom of expression, freedom of thought, freedom of feeling. My dear friend from Beijing taught me a lot about wisdom and compassion. We studied social work together. I didn't understand her zeal for the Communist Party, but I imagine it is similar to Americans' excitement over politics; it's just that in China there is only one party.
American and Chinese business interests are the best chance our two countries have of remaining friendly. In business, neither side can snooker the other for very long and continue to do business. So a type of credit is established in international business. The motive might be profit, but in Tiantai Buddhism, scholars talk of petty greed and Great Greed--which is the desire to do so much good that it transforms self-interest into mutually beneficial awakening.
3
Democracies really need to face up to what China wants.
And what it wants is control over you.
The CCP wants to treat you like it treats its own people.
In the grievances it outlined to Australia about a year ago, it required the Oz government to usurp the independence of the media and tell it to only do positive stories about China and the CCP.
Can you imagine?
And this was one of a dozen or so demands all of which would require Australia to do things uncharacteristic of a democracy.
At least one demand would have required the country to change foreign ownership laws.
They clearly do not understand democracies or independent media. And these demands were put in place by the CPP as an ultimatum in order to re-establish a dialogue with the Oz government.
They want control over your country's sovereignty.
And if it is not happening to your country yet, just wait.
It is what you have to look forward to as China's economic power continues to grow.
And when you don't play ball and bend your democracy to act like the CCP, they will call you racist. Acting like it has nothing to do with their own mafioso style tactics.
Democracies of the world MUST unite.
6
To be fair, keeping channels of communication open between heads of state can have great value, even if carefully scripted. This was a really weird way to do it. But 2021 has been even stranger than 2020, and who expected that?
7
I'm a big believer in engagement and diplomacy. Without it suspicions grow, sometimes to the point of armed conflict. As the saying goes, keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. Think Reagan and Gorbachev.
President Kennedy insisted everyone on his staff read the classic book "The Guns Of August (1962)" by historian Barbara Tuchman. It's about how WWI began. The cause wasn't really the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, it was the lack of communication among European powers. I found the book extraordinary, compelling and still relevant today.
12
The US is disingenuous, which harms its potential for progress on its real interests.
"Mr. Biden raised concerns about human rights abuses in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong, and about China’s “unfair trade and economic policies” harming American workers"
The US does nothing about human rights in the many places where it really could make a difference, such as Saudi Arabia and Yemen, Israel's treatment of Palestinians, the dictators the US installed and supports such as in Honduras. Thus, ineffectual complaints about China, that obviously will accomplish nothing but virtue signaling, harm our credibility even with those who share our concerns for human rights.
The trade and economic policies that harm American workers are not limited to China. It is the entire offshoring project, that was allowed to run wild. It won't be any better if it moves to Vietnam and Myanmar to find even cheaper labor. Those who share concern for the impact on our economy know that nothing being done about China really addresses the underlying problem.
Likewise the smoke blown about Taiwan. The US is aggravating that deliberately, in order to rally support for a new cold war (denying that is a flat lie). Taiwan was fine. China did nothing new to attack it, just reacted to the US pushing in, just as it had pushed up to the Russian border. The US made a convenient problem where there was none.
Of course there are real concerns. Those are being buried under this smoke, behind these mirrors.
15
No nation wants to be lectured about its human rights abuses. The U.S. is vulnerable on that front as well. Taiwan is in close proximity to China and historically was part of China. If China send its military near Taiwan what can we do? We have zero leverage. This virtual meeting was for show so its outcome is no surprise.
6
@alan brown
False equivalence. USA is the most pluralistic society in the history of the world.
Read Arthur Henderson Smith’s book Chinese characteristics. It’s free on Google books. There’s a whole chapter on cruelty. China is basically the same today, only the facade changes.
3
@ABC I wasn't defending China or suggesting equivalency. My point is that China can claim hypocrisy but my main point is we have no real leverage to halt Chinese expansion and war is not an option.China is a nuclear nation.
If Trump had participated in this virtual conference, and Xi would have called him his "dear friend," Trump would have come out gushing. Biden would not have any of Xi's glowsome cheer. I am developing an appreciation for Biden's sense of "realpolitik." Firmness is the answer. We have our "redlines," too. It's good to talk, but don't play the fool. After his Administration is over, Biden may be the President that we really WILL miss . . . and didn't realize that we would.
7
Polite words are enough. For now. Good for Biden Administration.
4
My sense from the so called summit is that China is definitely, definitely going to invade Taiwan. Not 10 years, 5 years, or even one year from now. _Months_ from now. Xi senses a weak and frail leader in President Biden. He knows that it is now or never. China’s position will only get weaker from hereon, and the US and West will only get more organised and better armed.
It is no coincidence that Russia has been quietly building up it’s troops and armaments along the Ukraine border - in a repeat of its dry run last April. China has also been subtley preparing its populace for large scale conflict in the near future. My spider sense tells me Russia and China are coordinating a simultaneous invasion of Ukraine and Taiwan soon, most likely this April. Their calculation being a West in disarray led by a weak and cautious leader would not dare simultaneously take on two nuclear armed superpowers in a military conflict.
It’s a massive miscalulcation on China and Russia’s part. The West will have no option but to engage them militarily should they act so brasenly. That will very quickly lead to nuclear conflict.
Whilst I was a physics graduate student in the US, I heard whispers here and there that the US had fielded mobile, nuclear powered particle beam missile defenses. A system that could nullify even the most determined nuclear strike. I do hope the US has a jack-in-the-box, but my family and I are preparing for the worst. Everything may be about to change - and very soon.
3
And the tone deaf pictures showing Biden smiling next to one of the most hated men on the planet, at least as far as the US right wing goes? This administration, this Congress, are on a fast track to oblivion.
2
Any discussion with Xi is bound to be fruitless. As the dictator at the head of a one-party state, he has never had to try to understand the perspectives of others, much less compromise. At the same time, once the CCP abandoned communism in favour of crony-capitalist fascism, the only way Xi could try to justify the continuation in power of the CCP (and therefore himself) is to ramp up the Chinese people with militaristic, arrogant, nationalism. As a result, the Chinese people now believe it is their manifest destiny to obtain revenge on everyone they believe wronged them in the past. This includes just about every major country in the world, beginning with the US. No amount of talk will stop the Chinese march to war.
At the same time, too many Americans still believe that America has both the ability and the right to dictate the world order. I very much doubt that cool heads will prevail when (not if) China invades Taiwan. American cannot win a war with China any more than China could win a war against the US. But, neither side recognizes this.
Result: war with China, within the next five years, is probably inevitable. The only way out would be for the US to restrain itself militarily, and try to put together a coalition who will isolate China economically. If China’s growth is slowed or reversed, then (but only then) Xi may lose his iron grip on China.
4
Guess the Times' diplomatic correspondants have forgotten that diplomacy is essentially "polite words" or it at least that it starts that way?
Bombast, insults, sabre-rattling are counterproductive! "Talking tough" is usually just oafishness in diplomacy and international affairs. Sad how coarsened public debate among nations has become over the last 5 years or so, mosly due to dolts like Trump and Pompeo, and what did that accomplish? A world at the brink!
2
Time, technology and economics are on China's side. As time passes hypersonic missiles will get faster and more accurate so a 1 million dollar missle can reliably sink a 20 billion dollar aircraft carrier (with 5,000 man crew). That eliminates Americas military strength in the far east and leaves everything to China. Economically, China is embracing capitalism (of the state variety) while the U.S. is falling into the arms of race-motivated socialism. Their economy is on the way up, our on the way down. 50 years from now China will rule, but probably without actually saying so out loud.
1
Trust between the two most powerful countries has been broken badly. It can't be mended. Without trust, all negotiations are just theatrics. Let Afghanistan be the lesson. Words have no meaning when the actions show otherwise.
China's response through its dual circulation economic model is to get ready for decoupling with the US. It has been reducing its holding of US treasury, reducing export to the US, and trade with some countries bypassing the US dollar altogether.
Not clear if the US is prepared to go that distance to decouple, although many NY Times readers clamour for that. Quite sure Janet Yellen will say it is a non-starter. So far China is not buying any more US treasury bonds to help the Fed churn out more US dollars, or to help the US reduce inflation.
It is an interesting time indeed.
"Mr. Xi, according to China’s own readout, said that American support for Taiwan was “playing with fire,” and explicitly warned that the world risked slipping back into the superpower confrontations of a half-century ago."
I don't consider these polite words. When China is building up it's military and has emphatically said that they will not give Taiwan it's independence, then it's only a matter of time before China uses force. To me "playing with fire" is a direct threat and we should take it as such.
6
So, the China Summit produced a “little more than polite words.” From my vantage point, that’s huge. It’s a big step forward from our last president, who was a vacuous, foul-mouthed dolt. Yet, he remains admired by millions of Americans and almost all Republicans. Proving to other nations that we can return to civil, intelligent discourse is a major hurdle. “What happened to America?“ is the most pressing question I was asked while visiting Europe recently. We should consider ourselves blessed to have a president who can engage in civil, intelligent discourse. And maybe, just maybe, if a majority of our politicians could return to such behavior, then, and only then, can we return to getting something done in our nation and in the world that is lasting and forward moving.
15
All true about trump, but I don’t think “most” republicans admire him. I think a vocal minority do but most at best tolerate him and will gladly leave him in the dust, where he belongs, once better alternatives (low bar!) emerge.
2
Biden seems incapable of taking any actions that actually protect the US.
When Xi threatened Taiwan again, Biden should have said the US will defend Taiwan and China should not make threats.
He failed to do so.
6
He actually said exactly that.
1
@Dan
Biden did not say Xi should not make threats.
That is the most critical statement he could have made and failed to do so.
Diplomacy is good. No more world wars, no more egos of wannabe dictators. We need SANITY and use the Climate Crisis will not wait!
Thanks, President Biden!
5
Conflict on a military scale between the CCP and the US is a loser. Nobody wins. Differences of opinion between the two are to be expected but would change nothing. Cooperation is king here.
10
Biden and Xi, engaged in conversation for 3 hours is a very good thing, regardless of immediate tangible outcomes. That your headline insinuates otherwise is irresponsible, especially given the dangerously divisive climate, both within our nation, and throughout the world.
The New York Times remains "the paper of record." What you say and, perhaps more importantly, how you say it, has an outsized influence on the tone and tenor of the national conversation. You must abandon negatively biased, click-bait headlines and embrace your responsibility to provide honest, trustworthy information.
Our democracy is imperiled. You're not helping. Do better.
15
what scares me is that few Americans understand China vs the Chinese who send millions of students internationally every year to broaden their horizons. McKinsey just release a report yesterday that shows China's total wealth minus debt is now greater then America's ($120 trillion vs 90 trillion) and their per capita GDP measure by PPP is 70% of that of the UK. Over 95 percent of the growth occur within the past 20 yrs. From someone who does business in China and in USA. I agree with that assessment. I am afraid that the gross underestimation of China by the USA can lead to catastrophe. Biden and the military seen to think that several carriers will deter the Chinese from invading Taiwan. The carriers will not survive their hypersonic missiles or fighter (kamikaze) drones. The best solution is the status quo and strongly discourage Tsai from pursuing anything resembling independence
16
@Carter ... status quo is eroding. China increasing pressure on Taiwan. Strong words from President Xi, i.e. "playing with fire". Bottom line ... what should U.S. do if/when China intiates military action against Taiwan, engage in hostilities to support Taiwan, or retreat and leave Taiwan to it's fate?
@BD Tsai needs to respect the Taiwan constitution which states that Taiwan and China are one. This is the main way to avoid trouble. If China invades Taiwan. It will be because of the separatists. No I do not want my children to died for Taiwan. No one in my family will either.
5
In any healthy relationship, important disagreements must be aired. Appeasement or papering over the concerns would be foolish. If we want to live with each other, real effort must be spent to resolve these differences. If we need to bring in an outside counselor (Europe and/or SE Asia), it's probably for the best.
5
"Polite" is okay, at the moment. It's better than antagonistic rhetoric. Diplomacy occurs behind closed doors and amongst Secretaries of State and Ambassadors. Given the stakes, both countries will be at odds - lesser or more - forever.
4
China consumes more than coal than the rest of the world put together. See https://www.worldometers.info/coal/coal-consumption-by-country/
If we want to make progress on global warming, we need to work with China.
6
@Jackson
Launching an embargo would send a message.
At some point, the US will have to make a choice: stand by and allow China to develop global military hegemony or confront China while it still lags in some key areas. Either way, the US stands to lose, and either way history won't view China as the aggressor. China is simply an emerging giant. I don't feel very confident in the idea that trade and manufacturing interests will be enough to avert this clash.
6
@Mford How do you propose confronting China?
1
@Mford American is in no position to confront with Chinain Asia at least for now
China and the US will always be at odds. Totally different philosophies. Xi Jinping has built a system that he will be leader for as long as he desires - much like Trump wanted in his own government. Can there be a middle ground between these two countries, only time will tell. It would be good for the world. And these things start one step at a time.
3
Sounds amazing. After Trump ramped up tension without gaining anything positive, now the two leaders are talking and expressing themselves to each other. A good start.
11
A good long conversation is a valuable thing, whether or not there is some sort of official product that results. Such documents are often not worth the paper they're written on anyway.
Xi's nautical metaphor sounds about right to me. Yes, it's a fig leaf for "Don't meddle with our autocracy," but we really have all the autocracy, exploitation, climate devastation, etc., we need to deal with right in front of our noses here at home. The best way we could lead is not by lecturing more, but would be by example. That would include stopping acting like the global boss, and building up the UN, especially, and other international institutions as the bodies to regulate international conduct.
We're in the position we are, vis-a-vis China, because of Bill Clinton opening up the tap to flooding our country with low-priced goods. So, the result has been simple, they now have the money and manufacturing capacities, and our jobs (Walmart, etc.) now depend on keeping the tap of these inexpensive goods, the prices of which we've grown accustomed to, flowing. That was a terrible, terrible policy, practically like handing out lollipops laced with drugs.
China accepted being poorer for decades in order to achieve their current position. It didn't come easily. They sacrificed a lot, and yes, exploited many of their people also, apparently - in what proportions it's hard to say. But their gamble has paid off for now, and we've got rotting teeth and flabby muscles, economically speaking.
10
@Eric S - The US just reminds me of Athens in the Peloponnesian War era. Overextended and a bit hypocritical in spite of its promising origins as a republic.
7
This contact is a real opportunity for both nations. It is an important start. With this beginning and the Beijing Olympics in February 2022 and also a beginning of addressing the existential climate threat, it would be reckless o dismiss this. It is a start. I hope there is real progress and i believe there will be. Why am I optimistic? No alternative. There is a lot that countries can do to address global warming and over population seriously threatening the U.S. now, not maybe, not tomorrow. A dialogue with Russia is needed and is hard because Putin and Trump surely speak and Putin is intent upon disrupting U. S. democracy and supports autocracy spreading worldwide and that is a threat here too. Yet we need a cautious dialogue. China manufacturing impacts daily life here and food products are a part too. Organic foods are often from China. Every pumpkin seed you eat is from China. Russia exports nothing. Yes we know vodka and caviar but no one ever says oooh let's buy this or that Russian product. They are all in on oil, arms sales and stopping democracy. Russias methane leak is a huge threat. Dialogue with all. There are possibilities.
3
And so here we are, the human race, facing a threat to our very existence - climate change - and we fight with each other over everything. There is no way we are going to the stars. I doubt we will even be able to avert a climate catastrophe. We are going to become a failed species.
7
The US press is underrating the importance of these talks, as if lowering tensions between the two nuclear-armed giants is of no consequence. The fact that the talks took place at all is the real story. The Chinese description of the talks goes right to the heart of the matter:
….“China and the United States are entering a period of détente, but we don’t know how long it will be and to what extent,” said Cheng Xiaohe, an associate professor of international studies at Renmin University in Beijing. “We have a lot of uncertainties now.”
12
To this very day it amazes me that the public is down on President Biden and oh my he hasn't fixed the China mess in a year.
Let's think back a bit to trump. As for the Midwest, it was buzzing pre trump. Ag trade and overall ag prices made all time highs. The reason would be our Democratic Administrations worked with China. We all prospered as never before. Then came trump and the china tariffs.
Think back. trump, the China tariffs and what else? China was now our evil enemy, not Vlad Putin donald's banker and Russia. News flash, donald. You did this to the United States and to press President Biden on why he hasn't fixed your very own China fiasco in 365 days borders on insanity, or Republicanism whatever you want to call it.
7
US has to understand that its own interests are not the same interests of China. In my own opinion the order of China interests is the survival of Communist regime, stability of its people, economic and trade, Taiwan. US is only concerning its own standing as superpower not to be challenged because that standing defines what US is as a country. Noticeably the issue of Tibet has been disappearing in the recent arguments between US and China.
The presidents conducted themselves perfectly, with the obvious intent to have the US and China work together on economic relations that effect nations all through the world. At this time, working together economically will be entirely helpful for both China and the US while enhancing the effect especially through the developing world.
The presidents were entirely respectful, and I am pleased and optimistic.
20
Calling China names is merely being prejudiced, while the names are completely incorrect. President Biden will understand this. China wishes to be a growth partner with the US, and that will benefit both countries and others.
24
>U.S.-China Summit Produces Little More Than Polite Words
Except for an agreement to hold talks on nuclear arsenals, interested readers can check the Financial Times website for reportage rather than background pieces..
3
Talking is very important, but dream castles like Trump with Kim Jong Un are only interesting for the media.
So we should trust President Biden, who has certainly achieved more in 3 1/2 hours than can be seen at first glance.
7
I like how the article ended off by mentioning the Flying Tigers squadron, an undermentioned group of heroes in an undermentioned front of WW2. However, it should be noted that the Flying Tigers were aligned to the Republic of China so it's a bit of an odd comparison, when you see the tensions that still persist between China & the ROC in Taiwan.
China hawks enjoy dreaming of Taiwanese invasion scenarios, but in reality, such a scenario would be cataclysmic to the popular morale of China. Many in the West do not understand how traumatizing it was for both Nationalist and Communist factions to fight each other, when the only difference was in our uniforms and political structures. That same trauma would be the same for today, which is why I have hope that tensions with Taiwan will be settled diplomatically in the long-run.
To understand the CPC & ROC's common links, just look to Sun Yat-Sen, the father of the revolution - the man just wanted his people to have a break from the mismanagement of the Qing dynasty, but past that, I'm not sure if he would have foreseen either CPC or Kuomintang emerge - what I am sure of is how he would've approved of both, as anything was more preferable than living under the old Imperial system.
It's been a little over a century since the Qing fell but most people forget that the Imperial system still haunts the two China's today. NYT / The West would do well to remember this context, as it colours every interaction between the 2 China's.
19
We should not expect an authoritarian leader to be anything but uncompromising. His comments about Taiwan were striking, but they were not out of character. Should he succumb to global pressure about human rights violations, fascistic policies and imperialist tendencies he would achieve nothing for himself but a loss of power. China is the country it is today because of its ability to remain externally independent by exhibiting internal totalitarianism.
I don’t think we’ll ever get to a place where China and the U.S. agree. Both countries have vastly different ideals on the role of governments — both locally and globally. The U.S. has proven it can remain a global superpower without exhibiting totalitarianism and human rights violations, while China has shown that that is a way to become one. I think we will, for the time being, have to accept fierce, uncompromising competition between both nations.
5
@Cristian Pereira
"The U.S. has proven it can remain a global superpower without exhibiting totalitarianism and human rights violations."
Really? Amnesty International documented 125 separate incidents of egregious human rights abuses by law enforcement agencies against BLM protesters in 40 US states between 26 May and 5 June alone. See their website for details.
9
Without giving anything, what do you expect to get ? All the ammo US had was used up by dotard, Biden could only talk with empty hands.
4
“Polite words and not much more…” Biden in a nutshell
12
@Taking Another Deep Breath
Biden is a breath of of fresh air after all the chaos and scandalous behavior of the previous administration. We should expect it to take more than a few months to clean up the mess.
5
Rationalism favors the long-term Ideal but Pragmatic Anti-Rationalism is required to resolve unexpected crises for any competitor that impedes the accomplishment of the ideal System. Proper timely application of the principles of both Pragmatism and Rationalism ensure the survival of all Parties (when the destruction of one means the destruction of all) as they continue on the path of collaboration for the good of all.
In reality both Rationalism and Pragmatism are required to survive over time, and pigheadedly holding to one philosophy in those situations that demand the application of its opposite to maintain Human civilization leads to catastrophic failure.
1
China did not fire a shot to complete the integration of Tibet. After the high speed rail was built Chinese flooded Tibet. Game over. Chinese call it swarming. They did the same in slowly taking over the South Asia sea while Obama was asleep at the wheel. Taiwan is next. Australia is becoming a Chinese colony. Australians are so open and welcoming — to their detriment. Your naive trade built the largest military in the world, China’s
9
China is not the enemy of the U.S. However, if US continues to make China the enemy, China will become an enemy. I think everyone can understand this logic. Unless China is not going away, the only possible result from the hostility is nuclear build up by both sides. Will this make the world more safe?
25
Much ado about nothing...everyone is so bored especially with the media that they have to write a full page on the meeting!
Joe needs to show he is doing something about China, and Xi wants to remind Americans that he is still around, and the real purpose is to ask China to buy more American grain...
And the media has something to fill its pages
10
The reason why the meeting took 3 hours is because Biden had to keep referencing his notes as he lost his train of thought.
8
Here is the Top comment from the WSJ with a very similar article as this one -Will the national press demand the complete transcript of this virtual meeting as it did with Trump’s phone conversation with Volodymyr Zelensky? Or will the press allow Klain and Psaki to spin the conversation into propaganda?
8
I'm not buying it. What could be more stupid, for either country, than armed conflict. The US and China are interdependent. Full stop.
I have been on a strict news diet since shortly after the pandemic began. I'd watch soap operas instead, but I can't stand them either.
Comcast, Disney, Fox are in the news business to make money. There are many other things far more entertaining than the news - like art, for instance. And far less depressing.
The Biden/Xi show does not quite have the fan appeal of other shows (Rittenhouse, Manchin-Sinema vs the Squad, etc.). My guess is that it will not make it to Broadway. The producers may lose a bundle on this one. Don't feel sorry, their pockets are infinitely deep.
11
@Mike
I'm finding this hard to buy too. Why this talk of war? The US and China have complementary and deeply integrated supply chains. The success of both economies demands that this mutual interdependence continues.
Surely the biggest prize to be won in the decades ahead is peace, stability and prosperity for both countries, rather than a state of conflict.
6
I find lack of diplomatic wisdom and leadership in both Biden and Xi. They just repeated their own opinions and position (many times already), as if these were new to the world. This is the easiest thing anyone can do.
True leadership would try to understand why the other acts so and seek an angle to crack the nut so that real progress can be made.
4
In the purported words of Churchill: To jaw-jaw is always better than to war-war.
8
It's deja Vu all over again. Twenty years ago bush/Chaney unleashed havoc on our country and the world and never did a thing about 9/11. In fact they fought tooth and nail not to even have a commission for it. They invaded the wrong country and then on their way out the door created the worst recession in American history. Guess who had to clean up all the smell in the mess? That's right, the Democratic Party and president. Rinse. Wash. Repeat.
8
Not sure how many people in the comment section read the multiple articles in this paper related to this meeting but I doubt China find it fruitful. The articles all resolve around China is not legitimate, China needs to work within the American “international framework”, China should compromise core interest to come to agreement with the US.
If you are President Xi, would you do any of that? The entire meeting is US demanding something and want China meeting US halfway.
Also notice how NYTimes keeps using “President Biden and China’s leader Xi” instead of “President Biden and President Xi” and how every action/statement/request from China is phrased as from Communist Party instead of China/Chinese government. There is a reason for those choice of words and people should be worried at the long term implication
10
Imagine if US leaders focused on lifting their citizens out of poverty and debt…
9
Poverty and debt are not Synonymous, I have debt and I am not poverty stricken, I imagine you have debt and also are not likewise wallowing in poverty. Debt is a choice, poverty not so much.
Back to the story.
2
Communist China has replaced the Soviet Union as America's enemy by sheer default! Economically and militarily she is no match to the might of the deceased USSR, leave lone the US! Her allies are Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal! President Xi who has emerged as her sole dictator might derive some prestige within China by appearing an equal to the U.S. President!
Nevertheless, China, by adopting the East-Asian model, has become the world's Second largest economy and putting that money to drive U.S. out of Asia first and replace eventually! She has achieved this feat, in no small measure with U.S. help! The "No Growth" Conservatives" deserve the lion's share of the credit!
Yesterday's "Infra-structure legislation" is the first response by an U.S. Administration since President Eisenhower! President Biden's "virtual meet" with Chairman Xi is timed well indeed!
3
China is or is becoming militarily more powerful than the US. China knows we are not able to stop their forcibly taking Taiwan. The only way Taiwan can remain independent is if they have their own nukes - like North Korea. Taiwan has the technological ability to make its own nukes and should do so quickly and test one nuke so China knows what they would be against.
5
@Mark Leder Did you know, mainland China and Taiwan province is still in civil war? Learn history.
5
"I think he has been wrong on nearly every major foreign policy and national security issue over the past four decades.”
-Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates
The incompetence of Joe Biden has been laid bear for the entire world to witness. One day history will accurately reflect on his administration as the gold standard of government incompetence.
4
I think many in the Foreign Policy establishment would deliver the gold medal for incompetence in this area to Robert Gates. Biden, alone in the Obama administration, was spot on about Afghanistan then, and equally so 20 years and a trillion or so dollars later. Gates was tragically wrong.
6
@Reality Check
lets compare joe's 10 months in office to don's four years. also remember that the fiscal year started for joe last month, so most of this year is on don's plate.
there's a reality check for you.
2
There was nothing worth analyzing from the polite diplomatic exchange. It was the unspoken we need to understand. Biden’s first two attempts at meeting with Xi were rejected. This was his third attempt and one apparently pushed for by Yellen. Inflation is biting hard and I suspect the administration is looking for a way to lift the Trump tariffs without looking weak.
This was Biden’s opportunity to declare a boycott of the Beijing 2022 games, provide evidence on Uighur genocide and press US accusations of an intentional Wuhan Lab leak. Make demands over Hong Kong. He did none of that. And frankly, even if he did, China wouldn’t budge.
China would have won just by holding their ground but they got Biden to reaffirm the “One China” policy, recognising only the PRC and not Taiwan as an independent or separate nation.
4
Why would he call a meeting just to demonize China? That would get him nowhere. Xi already knows where Biden stands on all those issues, and it definitely wouldn't have been appropriate for Biden to mention Hong Kong.
6
China needs to be confronted and squeezed on all sides. Biden is playing the long game and this is what the Americans should continue to do. This is a zero sum game and the world cannot survive with Chinese hegemony. It needs Western might.
3
The 2 largest polluters in the world, for the sake of humanity, have to hold it together. All the other topics are important, but don’t rise to the level of climate change.
On a side note - this Christmas, don’t purchase a coal powered disposable trinket from China.
3
Not sure why we gave up on finding out how the biggest global catastrophe that has claimed millions of lives and changed all our lives for the past nearly 2 years is now off the board for any discussion so that we don't upset anyone. Science is getting us out of covid, though not without a lot of damage, and science needs to understand everything possible to prevent another possibly worse pandemic. How this is not even on the table for discussion is beyond bizarre.
12
@I
How exactly do you propose forcing the Chinese to share any information they might have?
1
It is impossible to be close and cooperative with a government that is literally modeling itself after the Orwellian thought police in the prescient novel, 1984. That style of government simply cannot be allowed to extend itself beyond the borders of China. If it is, the world will risk devolving into a perpetually dystopian society, consisting primarily of rival dictatorships. We need to avoid a direct military conflict with China, but we also should not be providing them with technology and capital any longer. Imagine how the Cold War would have been different if we were dependent on Moscow for half the parts and critical materials that went into everything that powered our economy in the 1960s, as well as their willingness to invest in our debt. We need to break off our now wildly out of balance economic co-dependence. This is best done by bringing critical manufacturing capability back to the United States, as well as working to economically strengthen other like-minded champions of democracy and freedom. Yes, it is going to look a bit like another Cold War, but just like the last one, we are not the ones who started it. For the sake of humanity, we absolutely must win it.
22
@AndyW
The problem is that Americans prize profits and low prices at almost any cost, including national security and domestic economic security.
Americans are almost singularly focused in this area and it is the reason why Americans are able to consume more per capita than just about anywhere else in the world.
The Chinese, unlike the Russians, are more amenable to commerce and big business. The Chinese were able to exploit our insatiable appetite for profits and low prices by offering up cheap labor and the lure of a large market.
With that said, the people that outsourced all the jobs are the same people demonizing the outsourcing of jobs.
6
@AndyW Thank you so much for your comment. Hello from Hong Kong, where China has spread its authoritarianism with excellent efficiency. Over 100,000 people have permanently fled HK in the last year. Next step: Taiwan. After that the entire South China Sea area. Have no doubt that China is on the wrong side of humanity and has every intent (they've stated it) to rule the world according to their agenda. Please, fellow Americans, do everything we can to cut our ties from this evil place. That starts with our politicians and corporate overlords. The job will be extremely difficult, but there's no other path.
6
Did anyone seriously envision "breakthrough" agreements emerging from the Biden-Xi discussions? If so, they would be delusional.
Talking is always a good thing even if both sides stick to their talking points and ideological frameworks. The U.S. and China will always be at odds over just about any issue you can name, but short of global nuclear war, the only way forward is for each nation to recognize the other's perspective and avoid blowing up the planet.
The discussion was fruitful in the same way all diplomatic rapprochements begin -- with a feeling out, a sense of the other's intentions, finding common ground. For the media to cast these talks as a kind of failure is incredibly ill-informed.
54
The Chinese on respect strength, power and the people who know how to use strength and power effectively. When the Chinese act politely it means they are achieving their objectives. Biden is not respected and is viewed as a means to an end by Xi.
9
I can breath a sigh of relief now, that I know Biden managed not to stumble, bumble, or take a nap during this event. His handlers did a good job this time. I am still concerned, however, that Biden still has a little more than three years left to trip up and turn Taiwan over to China.
5
@Scott K
It is absolutely amazing that there are people that really believe a Trump led America will lead to anything good.
I get the culture war stuff. However, the GOP ideas on isolationism and destruction of alliances will leave this country crippled over the long term. The big money knows this.
6
@Scott K gee if only we had Trump back, threatening nuclear war every minute and letting Jared handle Covid decisions and foreign policy. I’d feel so much more secure.
3
@Practical Thoughts People may not know this, but Trump is not President, unless people are living in the past. The buck stops at Biden's desk and will continue to do so for a little more than three years from now.
3
The differences in each leaders’ statements are telling. President Biden focused on a number of issues we have with China’s policies, while Xi warned of a Cold War. To me it sounds like the power balance still tips towards the US. Too many Americans want to feel like underdogs, as evidenced by the so-called war on Xmas, when we’re really the 800 pound gorilla. I think President Biden’s administration is clear-eyed about that, where all the former guy’s rhetoric was constant whining about our supposed victimhood.
6
“Engaging in ideological demarcation, camp division, group confrontation, will inevitably bring disaster to the world,” Mr. Xi said, a clear reference to a pillar of the new administration’s strategy for challenging China by teaming up with like-minded nations that fear China or oppose its authoritarian model. “The consequence of the Cold War are not far away.”
Basically shut up or you will have more than you can handle.
"or whether the deep economic, trade and technological links between China and the U.S. make any comparison to the old United States-Soviet Union relationship impossible." Great Britain and Germany were each others largest trading partners, it did not prevent World War One.
"Just hours before meeting Mr. Xi, he signed the bipartisan infrastructure bill, which his aides cited as an example of refocusing on international competitiveness. " Are you kidding me ? This bill is less than 1% that China invest in a month.
1
Can't help but note that smart TV in the background is likely made in China.
11
I believe in this instance we keep our friends close and our adversaries closer. Build from what we have in common and not heighten our differences.
The same advice goes for our own country, Democrats and Republicans! Stop the political insanity before it is too late.
7
This is a good start and both leaders showed each other sufficient respect. Russia is the present danger to a stable world. Everytime the price of crude oil rises and winter approaches in Europe, Russia starts acting irrationally. President Biden has succeeded in using this virtual meeting to partially stabilize US-China, invariably lowering tension over Taiwan. Russia is hoping for a deterioration so it can distract the US from focusing on the military build-up along Ukrainian border.
China is hosting winter Olympics in February and it is in their interest to ratchet down tensions in Taiwan Strait. With that relative geopolitical stability, NATO can now focus primarily on what Russia is up to.
President Biden may not be as emphatic as most people will like to see and a few missteps have occurred. Overall, he's helped to regain a strategic focus the US needs in such an unpredictable world.
17
@Chochodey Russia invaded Ukraine right after the Sochi Olympics. After the Olympics, will China do the same to Taiwan?
@Dan Broe That's a possibility, but it's still 60 days away, that's eternity in international diplomacy. Russia cannot maintain its absurdity beyond January. In that period EU will find alternative to gas to heat up. Winter may not be as brutal. Another wave of covid in Europe may dampen oil market. US and China may be forced to open strategic petroleum reserves to ease oil price if OPEC+ won't act. Demand for oil may ebb if price continues to rise. Just today, German authorities delayed the approval process for Nord 2 stream Russia is frantically hoping for. Pushing the permitting process to at the earliest summer of 2022.
Space debris is threatening lives and satellites because Russia got a new toy. Biden may be boring to America that's accustomed to action-packed theaters but boring diplomacy is effectively grinding down the adversaries while buying US time to refocus. A focused America is a fierce America. And foes and allies know that.
China is far from perfect, but perhaps someone can point out how many governments it has toppled, how many foreign wars begun and how much it's messed with other countries. Now let's all look in the mirror at the US. We have the most powerful military in the world by far and we've used it frequently. China needs to clean up its act on many fronts, but they certainly have good reason to not trust US.
61
@Dang
The US basically built the modern China bringing it from a agrarian economy to a producer country. Much like with the Marshall plan and other similar US policies, the American taxpayer funds the development of these countries who kick us in the teeth on trade was they are built up. Biden will play nice with them as China continues to eat our lunch. Just wait for Biden to drop the tariffs as a holiday gift. He will not make them accountable for creating the Covid virus.
3
Not trust us? How about doing the exact opposite of what we do?
@Dang
China has border disputes with 17 countries.
It is currently ignoring the sea borders in the south china sea to steal with oil and natural gas reserves of the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia.
If you want more, there's plenty.
And China has the most powerful navy in the world. Not the US.
2
If all that the videoconference between Xi and Biden achieved was polite words, that in itself is progress, considering that no pleasantries were exchanged between Trump and Xi. Biden is wise to play the waiting game and let change in China come from internal pressure. The policy of building up strength in the US and its allies whilst seeking alternatives to China for new supply chains will put huge pressure on China. A nation used to decades of over 10% growth,mainly driven by exports, is dealing with 3% growth and major issues with infrastrucure growth. This will soften China's stance and severly impact their flagship BRI project. Therefore, pleasantries at this first summit is the correct strategy
28
@Sidney Sridhar
Trump was actually well praised by China and the Chinese and you really expect the US to gain on China playing the long game? Have you not look at the US’ own demographics projection?
There is a reason why democracy don’t work, 50% of people is by definition below average and coupled with imperfect access to information, a democratic decision is always less optimal
2
Diplomacy is an inherently slow and boring process.
And it's not quite as 'exciting' as war.
No one expects Xi to play very nice given his penchant for authoritarianism.
If the Republican Party were able to engage in some honest diplomacy with Democrats and the President, we might even have a chance of forging a more perfect union.
Xi and China are much smaller threats to the USA than the Insurrection and Flat Earth party.
114
I always thought that John Kerry’s stunningly slow, tedious speaking style—as was said of Henry James, it’s like watching a hippo in a corner, trying to pick up a pea—made him the perfect diplomat.
Talk about your jaw-jaw. And by the way, that’s praise, not criticism.
3
Trump saying this pandemic is nothing, Tucker Carlson saying public servants who want to help keep us from dying are evil are some of the worst things we have to deal with right now. Journalists treating politics as a horse race instead of asking us what we need to make our lives better, and the lingering effects of Reagan, claiming Republicans are the party of ‘freedom and God’ and government is the enemy… But, Mao killed at least 30 million Chinese. Maybe 60. Xi wants to be like Mao. We need to bring everything out of Chinese control and fast.
4
@Socrates
Uh, no. China is a threat to the planet, not just the US. That is, unless you want to live in a world dominated by a proven authoritarian state with 1984-esque social controls. The best thing we could do is kick off Cold War 2 with China so at least the lines get drawn and China is forced to accept that their economy (and national savings) is based on servicing the West's need for manufacturing labor (and debt purchases). Recognizing Taiwan as a sovereign nation would be a good first step.
The Republicans have their issues, but, honestly, most of the chatter about "insurrection" is hyperbole, at least when compared with the riots and "protests" in the summer of 2020.
3
It's a start.
9
This what happens when you mistake Decency for Leadership.
5
@Dan - More like what happens when you have both in good measure. When you had lousy leadership you wound up with an l in your part of the former w-w trade equation with china. You know what lousy leadership i mean. It was booted out of office by the American people, well, at least more of them than the non-american in name only Americans in january of this year.
@rivvir
You give trump too much credit.
He was only there 4 years.
This started long before that.
3
The melancholy look on Biden's face as he sits there completely overwhelmed by the reality of his failed policies and historic low approval ratings is stunning. This is a sorrowful time in American history and a mournful ending to his political career.
12
@Jim W Is it possible that what you see as "melancholy" might be seen by others as "thoughtful"? Is it also possible to interpret President Xi's look at the moment as either "aggressive" or "befuddled," depending on your attitude of the moment? In the light of the signing of a huge infrastructure bill, record numbers of employed, a soaring stock market, and the possibility of more good social legislation (mostly paid for, of course), one might see beyond this "sorrowful time." One might try lighting a candle.
4
@Jim W
Yes, the stock market has plummeted, wages have shrunk, jobs are nowhere to be found and housing values have shrunk, the largest source of savings for most homeowners. Oh wait, none of that has happened. But yes, Americans will blame any president when it costs more than $40 to fill up the tank in their oversized SUV/PU truck. Rest assured, Biden is far from overwhelmed. Remember he was VP during the great Recession that could have led to a another depression.
10
China could get some international standing back if it did 2 things: 1. Not act like a pawnshop to developing world, trading infrastructure for overwhelming debt. 2. Instead of putting out the lights of freedom around the world, see freedom as what gives it power. Without IP from the US where would japan, korea, china be? All rose post WW2 and modernized using IP from democracies.
Free thought is what causes the world to grow. Just respect other people on the planet, and China will get what it needs... Do not claim all that is near china as its own. As far as what it wants, a unilateral domination of all, achieving this goal would not be to its advantage but rather will cause it to decay.
7
@Make it so number one China is actually emerging as a more viable partner in the developing work, particularly Africa, given American culture of aggression and foreign intervention, which Biden is only furthering. China does not interfere in African nation's internal affairs, does not practice hand-twisting. Is it in Africa to extract resources? Absolutely. But who isn't?
3
@Make it so number one
What do you think is the mission of World Bank and IMF? Without IP from Germany and UK where would US be?
4
With the US itself flirting very seriously with autocracy right here at home, with one of the two major political parties now in favor of installing their Dear Leader by any means necessary, perhaps we should stay focused on rule of law and human rights here at home first. The President surely has more sensible things to focus on right now than a confrontation with an invincible rival. Let’s shelve that idea for a bit.
22
@Aaron
The autocracy is the Dems trying to get rid of the filibuster so they can pass any law they please regardless of public opinion.
2
While "Mr. Biden and his top advisers have cast (China) as the greatest geopolitical challenge to the United States in its history," this does not preclude Mr. Biden from including important issues on his agenda to discuss with President Xi Jinping, such as:
What will China do to compensate the US and other developed countries on its long-term theft of intellectual property?
What will China do to offset its expansion in the South China Sea to the regional Asian countries who are victims of this theft?
What will China do to compensate minorities within China whose civil rights have been violated?
Why is China growing its arsenal of conventional and nuclear weapons?
There are many other issues of import that China has a moral and international obligation to address.
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The diplomatic strategy of lecturing China/Russia from moral high ground does not work, for the simple reason that our own hands are not clean. China's answers to your questions are very predictable:
What will China do to compensate the US and other developed countries on its long-term theft of intellectual property?
Answer: China will consider this after it's compensated for the Opium Wars and the invasion by the Eight Nation Alliance (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eight-Nation_Alliance ).
What will China do to offset its expansion in the South China Sea to the regional Asian countries who are victims of this theft?
Answer: If and when America renounces the Monroe Doctrine, China will learn from America's example.
What will China do to compensate minorities within China whose civil rights have been violated?
Answer: If and when America has compensated its minorities for historic civil rights violations (and in Canada/Australia's case, their aborigines), China will learn from your example.
Why is China growing its arsenal of conventional and nuclear weapons?
Answer: Russia and the U.S. have ~2000 nuclear warheads each, China's got a few hundred.
And bear in mind, despite the saber rattling, China has not invaded/bombed any foreign countries in recent decades. Can't say the same about America/NATO, can we?
Diplomacy based on realpolitik, rather than self-righteous indignation, has a better chance of staving off the disasters of climate change and nuclear armageddon.
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@Gerry O'Brien
Everything is realpolitik.
About 'IP theft', have companies bring the cases to WTO, but bearing in mind China's market size and attraction will be a factor in plaintiff's action.
About China's SCS regional hegemony, it's fait accompli. We have our 'Caribbean', so does China.
About 'Uyghers, Tibetans, and Hong Kongers', super majority of Chinese (90+% of its population) would not budge on this issue, that's the will of its people. Democracy, if it ever comes to China, will be tyranny of majority on this case also.
About China's conventional and nuclear arsenal. The former is to ensure its absolute military superiority within the 1st island Chain, therefore, to prevent the US from starting a war in the west Pacific. The latter is to grease up the already slippery MAD slope, to prevent the US from any thought of starting a war.
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Will UK compensate China for causing it's downfall from opium war ? All the talks about IP theft, although there are, but it's the transfer to tech that allowed the Chinese to learn, but that was laid out to those companies before they produce in China. Professor Jeffrey Sachs from Columbia studied this. No guns were put on their heads to transfer their tech.
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Another opportunity to give Biden "credit" as President. He's extended himself to World Leaders with the goal of improving our relationships. Just about destroyed under Trump. Biden is a good man with good values doing his best to do good work. If only Democrats were effective in getting that message out.
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@Tom
Agreed, but it would help if the NYT headline writers weren’t so eager to push their own shallow narrative of failure.
I for one am thrilled they talked. Overtime even. We are edging close to the brink with China, and any hours long exchange between the two leaders that slows this hostility down is welcome.
I guess the NYT misses Trump’s theatrical brinksmanship.
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@Tom He was insulted and demeaned. Imagine your neighbour throwing a party and you are not invited. Either he does not like you, doesn't not respect you or is telling the other neighbours you have issues. You may want to study how the Chinese make someone lose face.
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@Tom Biden is no better than Trump in the view of the Chinese. They admire Trump more.
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The US should do everything they can to ring fence China by building coalitions with Europe, seeking alternate countries to trade with, changing supply chains,and foment unrest in China by trying to get highlight to the people in China through social media and other channels the degree of repression and authoritarianism in China.
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And why should the US do that? To stay top dog? Who would be next? India?
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@Tim Thumb Actually, it's China that is opening trade , with its "dry port "initiative from Beijng to Europe through the Middle Ea.st.
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@Tim Thumb
China is not Russia that building coalitions in Europe can help. The QUAD in the Indo-Pacific is that coalition for the next thirty years.
Talking is better than the alternative. So, there's no sound bite... just keep talking.
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@TranscendentMan Agreed but the other person can not speak out of both sides of their mouth. Hilter realised he had to play nice with the Britain and France before the Second World War. He even held a summer and winter Olympics to show the world that the Nazis were were not a rabble. Not a big fan of President Reagan but he famously said concerning the USSR, "Trust but verify."
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"Not much more?" Is this how the Times now grades a talk between nations and their leaders? You do an "instant poll" sort of recap, like we're watching a post game football show? Sheesh!
Unlike Trump, the Biden administration is playing a long game here, aware that much may change and that you don't expect results right away. This is what diplomacy is all about. Talking. Building some trust. Feeling each other out. I know it doesn't comport with the current desire for results to happen NOW, but I'll take it any day over the Trump lies and deceptions!
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@Clyde
The long game in Biden's case means doing nothing and nobody can out do China in the long game.
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@KR
Biden isn't doing nothing (or playing golf). China has about 20% of the world's population, while the US has about 5%. If population is "outdoing" then they sure are unbeatable. However, there's more to this than numbers.
We shall see.
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@Clyde Times is correct here. It’s a nothing burger!
Clearly China is holding its ground as it knows time is on its side overall. US is in a difficult position because of domestic discord that does not allow for optimal policy. This may be a tipping point over the global balance of power for decades to come.
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@Dennis
China is holding its ground because the Globalists fell into its trap.
They now hold the world hostage due to being the head of the supply chain, having encouraged the world to disassemble their means of self-reliance.
11
I hope that the coming decades become more about decentralization instead of putting all our futures in the hands of these governments. I don't trust China to do what's best for the world, and the US empire is slowly fading and making the poor choices that come with that decline.
Decentralized autonomous organizations, decentralized finance and crypto, sovereign individuals, and technology seem the more likely path to peaceful times.
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@Chris decentralized currency and finance, which is organized and benefits white, male, libertarians is the biggest threat to global stability we can imagine. None of these tech bros has the real life experience and learned humanity that the leaders of the USA and China possess. Unless you put Zuck, Bezos, Thiel on a pedestal they certainly do not merit.
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@Chris
Does it feels like Google, Apple, Amazon, Facebook are heading to a decentralize future? You cannot even replace your broken iPhone screen without going to the Apple Store
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@Karen While it may have started with "tech bros", which I guess is a pejorative, it is spreading to countries that benefit from this open financial network. In the US 6% say they use or own crypto.
- Nigeria 32%
- Vietnam 21%
- Philippines 20%
- Turkey 16%
- Peru 16%
- India 9%
(statista survey)
Or how about El Salvador as an example?
Not everything is as white male centric as would be the convenient storyline.
2