A Rocky Road to the San Francisco China – US Summit
Photo:Reuters
On October 28, 2023, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi commented on the anticipated meeting between President Xi Jinping of China and US President Joe Biden, predicting a challenging path towards the summit. The statement was made during a press conference, where Wang Yi stated, “the road to the San Francisco summit will not be a smooth one.” This comment, delivered with characteristic diplomatic reserve, hints at the complexities surrounding Sino-US relations and the challenges expected to precede the high-level summit. The United States and China, two of the world’s most formidable powers, have long had a complex and multifaceted relationship. In recent years, this relationship has been marked by increased tensions and disputes over trade, technology, human rights, and regional security. The San Francisco summit, therefore, is seen as a crucial attempt to alleviate strains and explore avenues of cooperation. Yet, Wang Yi’s cautious statement suggests that the Chinese government anticipates the many obstacles that lay ahead. The summit’s success will depend on the ability of both nations to navigate contentious issues, find common ground, and establish a framework for future dialogue. This task is not simple; it requires a significant diplomatic effort from both Beijing and Washington.
The issues at the forefront of the upcoming summit are numerous. The ongoing trade war, initiated during the Trump administration, has yet to be fully resolved despite several rounds of negotiations. The matter of technological competition, particularly in the realm of 5G, AI, and other emerging technologies, has also driven a wedge between the two nations. The U.S.’s concerns over human rights and democratic values, particularly in relation to Hong Kong and Xinjiang, are another point of contention. China’s assertive actions in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait have raised alarms in Washington, and will undoubtedly be a topic of discussion. While these contentious issues may create a rocky road to the summit, they also underscore the importance of the meeting. The San Francisco summit presents an opportunity for both nations to address these disputes directly, and to potentially pave the way for a more stable and constructive bilateral relationship. However, the road to the summit is not just about the existing disagreements between the two nations; it’s also about setting the tone for future interactions. Both China and the U.S. stand at a crossroads, with the actions taken now likely to shape the trajectory of their bilateral relations for years, if not decades, to come. The choices made, the language used, and the attitudes displayed will all contribute to the nature of this relationship moving forward. Wang Yi’s statement, while cautionary, should not be interpreted solely as pessimistic. It acknowledges the challenges ahead, but it also implicitly recognizes the potential for progress. It is a call to both nations to come prepared, to engage in good faith, and to work diligently towards finding solutions to shared challenges. The road to the San Francisco summit may indeed be rocky, filled with diplomatic challenges and complex geopolitical realities. Yet, it is a path that must be tread, for the sake of not just Sino-US relations, but also global stability and prosperity. The world watches on, hopeful that this summit will lead to a constructive dialogue that mitigates tensions and fosters cooperation between these two global powerhouses.
By Paul Bumman
