The Chinese President said the Taiwan issue, democracy and human rights, path and regime, and the right to development are four red lines that the US cannot violate.
On November 17, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the content of the exchange between President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden that took place the day before on the sidelines of the 2024 APEC Summit in Lima, Peru, in which the leaders China sets out “paramount” principles for the future of bilateral relations.
“The Taiwan issue, democracy and human rights, China’s path and regime, as well as China’s right to development are our four red lines,” Mr. Xi said during the meeting. “Those lines cannot be challenged. They are the most important barriers and safety nets for China-US relations.”
Although Mr. Xi did not mention US President-elect Donald Trump, this statement about the red line seems to be a warning to the future US administration, when Mr. Biden will expire in the next two months and he will Trump will come to power.
Mr. Xi emphasized that conflicts and disagreements between two major countries like the US and China are inevitable, but “either side should not undermine the core interests of the other side, nor should it seek conflict or confrontation”.
He criticized the “small yard, high fence” policy, a term used by US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to describe efforts to limit China’s access to advanced technology.
US President Joe Biden (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping at a meeting in Lima, Peru on November 16. Image: AP
“The Cold War should not happen and no one can win. Containing China is an unwise, unacceptable action and will certainly lead to failure,” Mr. Xi said.
The Chinese President also pledged to continue dialogue and cooperation to maintain stability in bilateral relations, which the two countries “have achieved with great difficulty.”
A White House announcement of the meeting said Mr Biden and Mr Xi “emphasized the importance of responsibly managing competitive issues in the relationship”, as well as ending the conflict in Ukraine. Mr. Biden is said to have expressed deep concern about “China’s support for Russia’s defense industrial bases”.
Regarding the Taiwan issue, Mr. Biden reaffirmed that Washington opposes any unilateral changes to the island’s status quo and expects all disagreements to be resolved by peaceful means. China always views Taiwan as an inseparable part of its territory and is willing to use any means to unify the island.
This two-hour meeting was President Biden’s last official exchange with the Chinese President as US leader before he leaves the White House in January 2025.