The presidents of China and the United States, Joe Biden and Xi Jinping, respectively, shook hands on Monday for the first time as leaders ahead of a meeting scheduled for this day as part of the G20 summit being held in Bali, Indonesia.
Thus, both leaders have greeted each other and expressed their desire to hold the imminent talks, according to information from CNN television network. «I am committed to keeping the lines of communication open between us personally because our countries have an opportunity to address many issues,» Biden said in statements prior to the start of the meeting.
«As leaders of these two countries, we have a responsibility to demonstrate that China and the United States can manage their differences, prevent competitiveness from turning into conflict, and find ways to work together on global issues that require our cooperation,» he said.
However, the Biden Administration has clarified that, at least in principle, the parties will not make joint statements and has insisted on not making «concessions on core issues».
The Foreign Ministry of the Asian giant has pointed out that Beijing seeks «to reach a form of coexistence acceptable to the parties while defending its own sovereignty, security and interests», as reported by the South China Morning Post.
The meeting comes three months after the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, made a controversial visit to Taiwan, an issue that has fueled controversy and encouraged military maneuvers by China in the area.
Bien and Xi are scheduled to discuss, among other issues, their respective relations with Russia, also a member of the G20, in the midst of the invasion of Ukraine, which began nine months ago.
