They shook hands at the start of the interview.
Joe Biden and Xi Jinping, presidents of the two biggest economic powers in the world, declared themselves ready for dialogue despite their rivalry on Monday at the start of a long-awaited interview, the American president thus saying he hoped to avoid a “conflict” between Beijing and Washington.
In the preamble to a meeting on the Indonesian island of Bali, Joe Biden said he wanted to "manage differences and prevent competition from turning into conflict", believing that "nothing replaces" a face-to-face meeting, while Xi Jinping said he is ready for a "sincere" dialogue on strategic issues as the two countries need to "find the right direction".
The absence of Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit, nine months after the launch of the war in Ukraine, focuses even more attention on the Chinese president, at the height of his power after obtaining a historic third term.
Over the past three years, the rivalry between the world's two largest economies has intensified as China has grown in power and assertiveness, challenging US leadership and the geopolitical game since the end of World War II.
North Korea, Ukraine… Several hot topics
Monday's meeting on the sidelines of the G20 smacks of the Cold War and the White House spoke of the need to establish the "red lines" of the two countries to have "guardrails" and avoid tipping into conflict , according to a White House official.
The two leaders have spoken by phone or video five times since Joe Biden entered the White House, but never face-to-face, and have known each other since 2017. China said Monday it hopes the interview put bilateral relations "on the right track".
Tensions around the status of Taiwan
In addition to China's refusal to condemn the Russian invasion, Washington and Beijing are at loggerheads over issues ranging from trade to human rights in China's Xinjiang region to the status of Taiwan.
Joe Biden notably wants to push Beijing to use his influence to moderate North Korea, which has just carried out a record series of missile launches, seeming to be preparing to conduct the 7th nuclear test in its history.
But Xi Jinping will probably not be willing to show understanding and this meeting should set the tone for the G20 summit on Tuesday and Wednesday.
If Ukraine is not officially on the agenda, the war started by Russia and its consequences on the food and energy markets will be in the background of all the talks.
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Joe Biden and Xi Jinping face to face this Monday to manage their rivalry “responsibly”
World
Diplomacy: The Chinese president will meet Emmanuel Macron and Joe Biden at the G20
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UNITED STATES
China
Joe Biden
Xi Jinping