Xi, Biden Meet, Hold Talks At G20 Summit

U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping have met in person for the first time on the sidelines of this week’s G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, reports CNN.

The leaders met Monday evening to discuss each other’s “red lines” amid tensions over the war in Ukraine, Taiwan and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Each president was accompanied by nine government officials. The U.S. contingent included Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns.

The Chinese officials included He Lifeng, the head of the National Development and Reform Commission, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Assistant Foreign Minister Hua Chunyin.

The main objective of the meeting was to gain a better understanding of each other’s priorities and reduce misconceptions, said U.S. officials.

Similarly, Chinese officials said that the sides hope to “properly manage differences, promote mutually beneficial cooperation, avoid misunderstandings and miscalculations.”

A joint statement will not be released following the meeting, said U.S. officials.