When President Joe Biden meets Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Wednesday, every detail will matter. The way they greet and eat, and where they sit, all hold utmost importance. White House officials state the need for navigating delicate protocols as “pretty intense”.
Senior fellow for Asian Security, Bonny Lin, speaks to the very detailed planning involved in the intricacies of the upcoming meeting. Notably, the lack of details released by both the Chinese government and the White House only adds to the significance of the impending face-to-face.
The formalities and logistics of this meeting are intricate, as both sides potentially haggle over meeting times, room arrangements, interpreter access, and more. There’s also a need for substantial conversation on global issues, especially given that this is Xi’s first visit to the U.S. in six years.
At APEC, due to the nature of the meeting, expectations might differ from the norm. However, the choice of location and the nuances of the protocol for Xi-Jinping meeting still hold significance. The Chinese will emphasize the significance of Washington’s decorum in their media back home.
Ultimately, there’s a lot at stake. Every interaction, whether casual or ceremonial, between Presidents of the U.S. and China carries underlying geopolitical implications. This might involve a short walk together, who approaches whom first, and of course, discussions over a meal.
Procedural concerns may also dominate the atmosphere of the meeting. The bureaucratic steps, like how to deal with security, and how to handle espionage threats, might take up time and energy. Nonetheless, these are significant steps in fostering international relationships and cultivating goodwill.
