Unusual Whales

US senior official: Xi said no such plans of China military action against Taiwan in coming years

Unusual Whales -

US senior official: Xi said no such plans of China military action against Taiwan in coming years

U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping reached significant agreements on Wednesday during their first in-person talks in a year. The leaders, meeting on the outskirts of San Francisco for about four hours, addressed issues straining U.S.-Chinese relations and committed to enhancing communication.

Among the outcomes, Biden and Xi agreed to reestablish military-to-military communications, a channel China had severed following a visit to Taiwan by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in August 2022. Biden emphasized the importance of direct, open, and clear communication to prevent miscalculations that could lead to significant issues.

The U.S. President proposed institutionalizing military dialogues between the two nations, with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin scheduled to meet his Chinese counterpart once appointed. Both countries' militaries have experienced close encounters and tense exchanges in the past year.

Addressing the opioid crisis, Biden and Xi agreed that China would take action to curb the export of items related to fentanyl production, a major contributor to drug overdoses in the United States. The agreement involves China targeting specific chemical companies producing fentanyl precursors.

Additionally, the leaders decided to convene experts to discuss the risks associated with artificial intelligence.

Biden attributed the success of the meeting to candid and straightforward discussions. An exchange on Taiwan revealed China's preference for peaceful reunification but left open the possibility of using force under certain conditions. Biden emphasized the U.S. commitment to the status quo and urged China to respect Taiwan's electoral process.

Xi, in turn, called for the U.S. to halt weapons shipments to Taiwan and support China's peaceful reunification with the island, according to Chinese state media.