US President Joe Biden expressed optimism about the future of US-China relations, stating that the strained ties between the two countries should thaw “very shortly.” Biden acknowledged that relations had deteriorated following his talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Bali last November.
The decline in relations between Washington and Beijing can be traced back to a diplomatic dispute sparked by the shooting down of an alleged Chinese spy balloon that had flown over the United States in February. The incident resulted in the cancellation of Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s planned visit to Beijing, which was intended to be an opportunity to improve bilateral relations.
During a press conference following the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, Biden was questioned about the absence of a planned hotline between the United States and China. In response, he admitted that an open hotline was agreed upon during his meeting with President Xi in Bali but lamented the change in circumstances due to the incident involving the spy balloon.
Biden expressed his belief that the situation would soon improve, leading to a thaw in relations between the two nations. However, he defended his administration’s actions that have irked China, such as targeting trade in advanced microchips due to concerns about their potential military use. The president emphasized that the United States and its allies have committed to restricting the provision of such materials to China to maintain the current status quo.
The Group of Seven (G7) leading economies, of which the United States is a member, recently issued a warning to China regarding its “militarization activities” in the region. Biden supported the G7’s stance and clarified that the actions taken by his administration were not hostile but rather intended to ensure the preservation of stability.
Biden’s remarks convey his hope for an improvement in US-China relations shortly. While acknowledging the challenges and recent tensions, he expressed optimism that dialogue and cooperation could resume between the two countries. The president also reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to addressing concerns related to China’s military activities and ensuring the responsible trade of sensitive technologies.
