Xi-Biden Talks: Seeking Ground in a Challenged Relationship between Superpowers

The recent tête-à-tête between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden aimed at broaching critical strategic issues impacting their nations and global peace, potentially heralding a pivot in the tense China-US diplomatic relations. The rendezvous, though replete with discussions and reaching some agreements, did not entirely quell the longstanding discord, which has thrust the relationship between the two countries to its acme of acrimony in half a century. Amid deliberately moderated expectations, the four-hour discourse concluded with a positive tone, but the consensus achieved appeared incremental against the backdrop of underlying factors propelling the US and China into a more perilous rivalry. President Biden expressed hope in easing tensions concerning the proximity of US and Chinese forces in the Asia-Pacific, a concern he wishes to avert escalating into a global crisis amid his re-election bid. For Xi, the summit was crucial domestically, projecting control over vital US relations amid economic hardships and signaling China's inclination to de-escalate tensions with global powers, primarily the US. Despite the progress made, the inherent divergence in their perspectives remained unaddressed in a single summit. The accord to restore contacts between the US and Chinese militaries emerged as a significant development, given the potential risks of miscalculations between the forces operating in close quarters, particularly in the South and East China seas. Biden emphasized the need to manage their competitive relationship, steering it away from conflict, while Xi cautioned against US endeavors to stifle China's ascent, reinforcing Beijing's belief that US competition seeks to hinder China's rightful trajectory. The absence of military dialogue between the US and China, particularly in comparison to the Cold War era with the Soviet Union, had been stark. The restoration of military communications marks a crucial step, yet its efficacy hinges on the implementation of agreements at various levels within the Chinese forces. Acknowledging the political ramifications, Biden faced criticism for engaging with China, with some accusing him of undermining national security interests. The heightened rhetoric surrounding China in the US presidential election landscape added pressure on Biden. Xi, too, faced political challenges, arriving against a backdrop of upheaval in Chinese politics and economic strains. His charm offensive ahead of the summit and discussions with US business executives underlined China's attempt to bolster foreign investment. However, even as expectations remained restrained and the summit met minimal benchmarks, the fundamental nature of the rivalry between the two superpowers remains largely unaltered. While both nations aim to avoid a catastrophic clash, the trajectory of their relationship appears poised toward confrontation, requiring consistent management to avert a full-blown conflict. Despite occasional collaboration prospects, the core differences in strategic goals between the US and China continue to drive them toward intensified rivalry. Xi's nuanced stance implies a guarded caution against efforts to mold China's behavior according to US expectations. In conclusion, while the summit witnessed incremental progress and created channels for communication, it does not fundamentally alter the enduring rivalry between the US and China, posing ongoing challenges in their engagement on global fronts.