Pages

31 October 2023

China, U.S. Look to a Biden-Xi Summit While Wrestling Tensions

Charles Hutzler

China’s Foreign Minister Replaced After Unexplained AbsencePlay video: China’s Foreign Minister Replaced After Unexplained Absence
Beijing reappointed top diplomat Wang Yi to replace Qin Gang as foreign minister during an emergency session, without addressing Qin’s mysterious absence. Chinese leader Xi Jinping had handpicked Qin seven months earlier. Photo: Florence Lo/Pool Reuters/Associated Press

WASHINGTON—President Biden held a pivotal meeting with China’s foreign minister on Friday as both governments try to brighten the way for a presidential summit and keep in check the gamut of issues driving the countries’ tensions.

Both sides confronted a lengthy agenda, including over two hot spots, during the talks between administration officials and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that began Thursday. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged Beijing’s help in keeping the Israel-Hamas war from widening. China’s harassment of Philippine ships trying to resupply a South China Sea outpost also drew a sharp warning from Biden earlier this week not to attack a U.S. ally.

No comments:

Post a Comment