Photo: AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)By the very conversation with Xi Jinping that was "theatrically" scheduled, Biden sent a signal to Putin that his "friendship without borders", concluded with Xi in Beijing just before the invasion, may not have the weight that the Russian president had hoped for.
Based on initial reports from Beijing and Washington about the online summit meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden, it appears that concrete political steps are yet to follow. Although the details are not known, their statements raise some hope that the two superpowers will find a way to cooperate in the direction of solving the global crisis caused by Russia's attack on Ukraine.
Xi Jinping called on Biden to work together to stop the conflict in Ukraine. China and the US should take their share of international responsibilities and work for peace and stability in the world, President Xi said, according to China's Xinhua news agency.
On the other hand, the White House said that Biden found himself in the unusual position of seeking the tacit cooperation of a country that is seen as America's leading rival in curbing the influence of its historic Cold War rival from the second half of the 20th century. The United States had prepared a sharp warning to China if Beijing "listens to the requests of the Russian president for military and economic aid." Any commitment from Xi not to violate international sanctions against Russia would be seen as a major victory for Biden.
Both China and Russia have denied that such a request exists, and it is uncertain whether and how this sensitive topic was treated during this conversation. Beijing's position is clearly expressed that it will not tolerate the dictates and conditioning of Washington, but will conduct its policy in accordance with the interests of its country. In an unusual warning to Washington, just before the meeting, China sent strong signals that it will never accept the American threat and coercion regarding Ukraine, and that it will send a strong response if the US takes measures that harm China's legitimate interests.
On the other hand, the CNN commentator notes that the conversation with Xi gives the impression that Washington sees China as a key global power. By the very conversation and the "theatrical invitation" to the conversation, Biden sent a signal to Putin that his "friendship without borders", made with Xi in Beijing just before the invasion, may not have the weight that the Russian leader had hoped.
These were the first direct talks between the two presidents after their virtual meeting last November. This time they exchanged views on "mutual relations and other issues of mutual interest", but the war in Ukraine was in the center of attention. Many specific issues remain unknown to the public for the time being, although what has been published, at least from the Chinese side, encourages certain expectations, if not of joint, then at least of coordinated moves that would replace the war in Ukraine with negotiations.
Noting significant developments on the international scene, Xi said that peace and progress face serious challenges, because the world is neither peaceful nor stable. The Ukraine crisis is not something China wants to see, he said.
Events show again that countries should not come to the point of meeting on the battlefield. Conflict and confrontation are not in anyone's interest, peace and security are what the international community should value most.
"As permanent members of the UN Security Council and two of the world's leading economies, we must not only improve China-US relations but also assume our share of international responsibility and work for world peace and stability," Xi told Biden.
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