China and Biden could prevent a potential march to war by meeting in San Francisco. Both Presidents Xi Jinping and Joe Biden need to reassure the world that they are talking and maintain military contact during times of crisis, foreign policy experts said. The share of Chinese adults viewing the U.S. in hostile terms has dropped and polls indicate that only a small percentage of U.S. voters support an aggressive approach towards China. This suggests that Biden could gain support from the center by pursuing dialogue with Xi, rather than adopting the hawkish stance many in Trump’s orbit embrace. However, this meeting may pose risks for Biden, given the recent tensions with China. While they are not expected to reach major accords, Biden and Xi are set to address a variety of thorny subjects. This summit marks the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since a year ago. The meeting could last longer than expected and in its aftermath, Biden can ill afford for Xi to defy his requests regarding Iran and North Korea. For Xi, the meeting provides an opportunity to address recent troubling U.S. conduct towards China and emphasize the need for a more cooperative relationship. Nonetheless, potential complications remain for both leaders, such as a looming U.S. government shutdown.
Analysis: The Biden-Xi Meeting: Potential Opportunities and Risks for Both Leaders
