White House: Biden-Xi Jinping Dialogue Possible Within Weeks (Comprehensive)

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] The White House announced on the 19th (local time) that U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are likely to engage in talks within a few weeks. On his first Asia tour since taking office, President Biden is showcasing the 'security and economic alliances' with South Korea and Japan while openly checking China, which is competing for global hegemony.

Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor, confirmed this during a briefing aboard Air Force One en route to South Korea, saying "in coming weeks." If the meeting takes place, it will be the fifth since President Biden took office. The discussions are expected to cover Taiwan, where the U.S. and China have recently shown sharp differences, North Korea's nuclear and missile provocations, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, human rights, and trade.

Advisor Sullivan said, "We have conveyed to China our concerns about North Korea's provocations and our view that this is in no way beneficial to China," warning, "China must take all possible measures to reduce the likelihood of North Korean provocations." He also added, "China is escalating tensions over the Taiwan issue." Ahead of President Biden's tour of South Korea and Japan, it was confirmed that Chinese military aircraft conducted a show of force around Taiwan on the same day.

President Biden's first Asia tour is heavily focused on checking China. Unlike his predecessor, former President Donald Trump, who visited Beijing first during his initial Asia tour, Biden is prioritizing traditional allies South Korea and Japan and strengthening alliances. During the tour, he will also announce the U.S.-led economic initiative, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). The joint statement to be released after the U.S.-Japan summit is expected to include language urging China to refrain from actions that undermine regional stability.

Regarding reports that China is attempting to purchase strategic oil reserves from Russia, Advisor Sullivan evaluated that this does not violate Western sanctions against Russia. However, on the same day, the U.S. Department of Energy left open the possibility of a 'secondary boycott' that holds third parties accountable for transactions with sanctioned entities. This is interpreted as a kind of warning aimed at countries like China and India that could economically cooperate with Russia.

President Biden will arrive at the Osan U.S. military base in Gyeonggi Province late on the 20th Korean time. He plans to visit the Samsung Electronics semiconductor plant in Pyeongtaek and hold talks with President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 21st. On the 22nd, he will meet with Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, in Seoul to express gratitude for the decision to invest $7 billion (about 8.9 trillion won) in the U.S. state of Georgia, the White House said. Advisor Sullivan emphasized, "The core message of this tour is that the United States has come here for our alliance."