As US President Joe Biden prepares for a rare summit
with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the ongoing wars in Ukraine and between
Israel and Hamas set the stage for high-stakes discussions, reported CNN.
The American and Chinese delegations plan to address
both the Ukraine-Russia and Israel-Hamas wars in their extensive meetings in
the San Francisco Bay Area, as stated by senior administration officials.
During these discussions, President Biden and his
national security advisers will work to persuade their Chinese counterparts
that it is in Beijing’s interest to utilise its influence with Russia and Iran
to contain both conflicts.
The heightened global unrest adds significance to
Biden’s face-to-face meeting with Xi, their first in a year.
As Biden grapples with two conflicts that could define
his presidency – Ukraine and Israel – he is keen on enhancing ties with Beijing
and averting additional crises during his term.
The US has sought to manage expectations for the
talks, highlighting the restoration of military communication and an agreement
to curb narcotics trafficking as key objectives, as reported by CNN.
Biden said his objective in meeting with Xi will be to
normalise communication channels between the two powers. When asked how he
defined success for Wednesday’s sit-down, Biden said, “To get back on a normal
course.”
He said the sit-down also included “corresponding,
being able to pick up the phone and talk to one another if there’s a crisis,
being able to make sure that our militaries still have contact with one
another.”
The US officials have been working to restore military
communications with China after Beijing severed them last year.
Among prime concerns of US is the risk for
miscalculation or miscommunication that leads to conflict, including in the
tense waters around Taiwan and the South China Sea.
“As I told you, we’re not trying to decouple from
China,” Biden said, adding, “What we’re trying to do is change the relationship
for the better.”
He also mentioned China’s relative economic weakness
saying that he was looking to bolster a relationship that benefits both
countries.
Even as he applies pressure on Xi, Biden’s own ability
to shape the wars in the Middle East and Europe is being tested, as Israel
continues its assault on Gaza’s civilian infrastructure and as Ukraine
struggles to regain territory following Russia’s invasion 20 months ago.
His staunch support and billions of dollars in
military assistance from the United States haven’t necessarily led to outcomes
US officials had hoped for, as reported by CNN.
“The President will underscore our desire for China to
make clear in its burgeoning relationship… with Iran that it is essential
that Iran not seek to escalate or spread violence in the Middle East,” said a
senior administration official.
President Biden will make the point to President Xi
that Iran acting in an escalatory, destabilizing way that undermines stability
across the broader Middle East is not in the interests of China or any other
responsible country, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Monday at
the White House.
While applying pressure on Xi, Biden aims to shape
China’s role in the Middle East, urging them to leverage their alliance with
Iran for de-escalation. China’s growing influence in Iran, driven by shared
antipathy toward the United States, presents an opportunity for diplomatic
intervention.
The US president is expected to emphasise the
necessity for China to play a constructive role in calming tensions in the
Middle East. This includes a focus on Iran refraining from provocative actions,
with a clear message that the United States is prepared to respond promptly to
any such actions.
The summit’s outcome will determine the success of
Biden’s efforts to enlist China’s support in managing global conflicts.
The challenge lies not only in urging restraint in the
Middle East but also in influencing China’s stance on Russia, especially
concerning its economic alliance and role in the Ukraine conflict.
The complex geopolitical dynamics will test the
diplomatic skills of both leaders during this critical summit.
To that end, in Wednesday’s meetings, US officials
intend to “underscore our continuing concerns around those provocations to
China, who continues to be a substantial patron of North Korea,” CNN reported.
ANI
