High-Stakes Diplomacy: Biden and Xi Eye Fresh Talks Amid Rising Tensions

Top Chinese and U.S. officials discussed the possibility of Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping holding talks soon amidst ongoing high-level meetings in Beijing. Both nations agreed to establish military communications to manage Indo-Pacific tensions, with further discussions planned on contentious issues including trade, Taiwan, and international conflicts.

Top Chinese and U.S. officials have signaled the possibility of fresh talks between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping in the near future. This development came during extensive high-level meetings in Beijing, featuring China's top diplomat Wang Yi and U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan, amidst sharp disagreements between the superpowers.

The two parties agreed to hold video calls between their military theater commanders responsible for the Indo-Pacific region, particularly to manage potential flashpoints like the Taiwan Strait. According to a Chinese readout, the calls are aimed at preventing conflict, with the White House suggesting they would occur soon. "The key to smooth China-U.S. interactions lies in treating each other as equals," Wang emphasized, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Wang Yi and Jake Sullivan held candid and constructive discussions touching on bilateral, regional, and global issues, reflecting areas of both agreement and contention. The meetings are expected to cover further issues including trade disputes, Chinese territorial claims, and international conflicts such as the situation in Ukraine and the Middle East. Meanwhile, U.S. officials are urging China to regulate the production of chemicals that lead to fentanyl and to collaborate on setting safety standards for artificial intelligence.

(With inputs from agencies.)