U.S. President Joe Biden expressed his disappointment over Chinese President Xi Jinping’s likely absence at the upcoming G20 Summit in New Delhi, underlining the ongoing tensions between the two global superpowers. The summit, scheduled to be held from September 8 to 10, will see Chinese Premier Li Qiang representing China in Xi’s stead.
President Biden’s expressed disappointment at a press briefing on Sunday, offering limited details regarding the situation but indicating his eagerness to engage with Xi. The absence of the Chinese leader from the G20 Summit marks a significant development, given the importance of the event as a platform for diplomatic dialogue and cooperation among world leaders.
The last in-person meeting between Presidents Biden and Xi took place at the G20 Summit held in Bali, Indonesia, in 2022. Xi had previously confirmed his intent to attend the New Delhi Summit, but China’s Foreign Ministry refrained from confirming his attendance during a regular press briefing on August 31, casting doubt on his participation.
Biden suggested that he might still have an opportunity to engage with Xi later in November during a meeting of leaders from the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in San Francisco. However, the uncertainty surrounding Xi’s presence at the G20 Summit underscores the challenges in fostering constructive dialogue between the two nations.
The absence of President Xi comes at a time when U.S.-China relations have been strained, with tensions escalating over various issues in the past year. Both countries have engaged in disputes over trade, technology, human rights, and regional security concerns. The absence of high-level engagement at the G20 Summit adds another layer of complexity to these already fragile relations.
In an effort to mend ties, the United States has undertaken diplomatic initiatives, with several top officials visiting China in recent months. These include Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, and U.S. Special Envoy for Climate John Kerry. These high-level interactions aimed to address critical global issues and pave the way for constructive dialogue, but the results remain uncertain given the continuing challenges in the bilateral relationship.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
