During a meeting with US President Joe Biden at the APEC forum in Lima, Peru, on Saturday, Chinese President Xi Jinping laid out four areas that the US should not violate in order to maintain a balanced and sustainable relationship between the countries, while emphasizing that the US cannot win a new Cold War.
“As two major countries, neither China nor the United States should seek to remodel the other according to one’s own will, suppress the other from the so-called ‘position of strength,’ or deprive the other of the legitimate right to development so as to maintain its leading status”, China’s leader declared, also warning against attempts to slow China’s economic progress.
“A new Cold War should not be fought and cannot be won. Containing China is unwise, unacceptable, and bound to fail”.
Xi highlighted that it is crucial that countries treat each other as equals and respect each other’s core interests. He identified four “red lines” that China does not accept the US challenging: the issue of Taiwan, democracy and human rights, China’s political system, and its right to development and prosperity.
“These are the most important guardrails and safety nets for China-US relations”, said the Chinese leader.
“Ready to work with Trump”
Jinping added that if both countries avoid “vicious competition” and instead see each other as “partner and friend”, there is potential for significant progress.
Relations between China and the US have been very strained for some time, largely linked to differing views on Taiwan’s autonomy. The United States officially recognizes Taiwan as part of China but at the same time participates in military exercises with Taiwan, provides military support and sells arms to the island state.
The meeting between Xi Jinping and Biden took place against the backdrop of past conflicts, such as the trade war during Donald Trump’s first term and Biden’s continued tariffs on Chinese goods.
“China is ready to work with the incoming government of President-elect Donald Trump”, Xi concluded.
