Unveiling the Intricacies: Insights into Biden's Meeting with Xi
Anticipation builds as the highly anticipated meeting between President Biden and President Xi approaches, with China closely observing the diplomatic affair With limited surprises expected, all eyes will be on Xi's visit to the United States, leading to heightened scrutiny
US officials were surprised by the level of concern expressed by their Beijing counterparts regarding the treatment of Chinese President Xi Jinping during his short visit to the United States this week, according to individuals knowledgeable about the matter.
During meticulous planning that spanned several months, Chinese officials paid meticulous attention to every detail surrounding Xi's summit with President Joe Biden on Wednesday. This included considerations such as his seating arrangement and ensuring that the view from the window would be appropriate, all to ensure that the Chinese leader was accorded the utmost respect, sources familiar with the planning informed CNN.
The timing and location of the summit, which coincides with a larger gathering of Pacific leaders in San Francisco, have been carefully considered. Instead of convening in one of the designated rooms for bilateral meetings at the expansive Moscone convention hall, both leaders have chosen an undisclosed location outside the city limits.
Despite the confirmation of Biden and Xi's meeting, administration officials have opted to refer to the location as the "Bay area" due to security concerns. The venue for Wednesday's summit, which remained undisclosed until hours before the meeting, was even kept secret from the members of the White House press corps accompanying Biden to San Francisco.
White House officials explored several potential locations, considering factors such as security and capacity. However, other aesthetic elements also came into play, such as the appearance and atmosphere of the venue, according to a source.
"There is a significant amount of detailed planning involved, as one would expect," stated a high-ranking official from the US administration.
Both sides have engaged in heated debates about the flowers, food, and beverages, each hoping that the meeting will alleviate tension between the US and China. Victor Cha, Senior Vice President for Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, noted that when China visits the United States, they typically desire an extravagant and ceremonious reception for such gatherings.
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Meeting will be closely watched in China
is not politically possible," the speaker stated, expressing the unfeasibility of the overall relationship. "However, by holding APEC in San Francisco instead of the official White House venue, this dilemma is effectively resolved."
American diplomats familiar with the intricate planning involved in the Chinese president's foreign travels acknowledged the significance of the attention given to the atmosphere surrounding the summit with Biden. Chinese officials, known for their keen sensitivity towards etiquette and symbolism, meticulously orchestrated every aspect of Xi's visit to California to ensure maximum levels of respect, even going to lengths to suppress or disguise any potential protests against the communist leader.
San Francisco and the Bay Area are host to a significant Chinese or Chinese-American community, making it one of the largest in the United States. US census data reveals that San Francisco has a Chinese heritage account for one-fifth of its population.
This demographic makeup increases concerns related to Xi's visit. Pro-democracy and human rights organizations have expressed intentions to organize protests in the vicinity of the APEC summit venue this week. However, the likelihood of demonstrations specifically targeting the Biden-Xi meeting seems low.
Chinese officials have made efforts to prevent Xi from witnessing these protests in person, officials say, while pro-Chinese demonstrators have also made their presence known, eager to demonstrate their support for the Chinese leader. As Biden was en route from the airport to his hotel on Tuesday, signs that said "Warm Welcome for Xi" could be seen along the roadside, while others waved flags representing both the United States and China.
Few surprises expected
Officials also dedicated significant time to engaging in substantive discussions with their counterparts, aiming to avoid any unexpected developments.
It has been over six years since Xi's last visit to the United States, and US officials noted that this week will be his first return to San Francisco since his earlier tenure as a young Communist Party secretary in the Chinese provinces. Given the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Xi's international travels have been notably infrequent in recent years.
Xi's interactions with former US leaders, such as Barack Obama and Donald Trump, have been meticulously planned. During his meeting with Obama, they both ditched their jackets and ties and took a stroll in the scorching desert heat at Sunnylands compound near Palm Springs. While dining at Mar-a-Lago, Xi and Trump savored a delicious meal, with Trump considering the dessert to be exceptionally breathtaking.
Over the past two years, Xi has further consolidated his authority by promoting party loyalists and removing term limits on his presidency. However, his arrival in California coincides with a delicate economic situation in China, marked by a real estate crisis and soaring youth unemployment.
Xi's management of the Covid crisis, which involves obstructing global inquiries into the origins of the virus, has evoked annoyance within the country and overseas. Moreover, the recent reshuffling of his inner circle, notably the sudden removal of Xi's personally chosen defense and foreign ministers, has prompted doubts regarding his decision-making abilities.
Increased scrutiny on Xis trip stateside
The upcoming trip to the United States is receiving additional attention. In addition to his meeting with President Biden, Xi will be hosting a dinner for influential American executives who are actively seeking to attract US businesses amidst a decline in foreign investment in China. This event will also serve as a signal to the US government about the significance that the private sector continues to place on China.
Ryan Hass, the director of the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution, emphasized the crucial role of optics for Beijing. He stated that Chinese officials want to convey to their domestic audience that Xi is being received by Biden in a dignified and respectful manner. They are interested in showcasing the leaders' amicable interaction and their personal investment in guiding the bilateral relationship.
"To achieve this, we will need visual representation of the two leaders engaging on a personal level, going beyond the typical handshake in a hotel conference room with a backdrop of flags," Hass stated.
Biden and Xi have maintained a relationship for over a decade, and Biden frequently mentions the extensive travels they undertook together during their time as vice presidents. The Obama administration had assigned Biden the task of gauging Xi's stance when there were indications of his upcoming leadership role.
The seemingly friendly rapport has not resulted in better relations between the US and China. Prior to departing for California, Biden expressed his desire to restore the relationship following a period of strained tension. When questioned at the White House about his criteria for a successful meeting on Wednesday, Biden simply stated, "to return to a regular trajectory."
He said that included "corresponding, being able to pick up the phone and talk to one another if theres a crisis, being able to make sure that our militaries still have contact with one another."
